Pregnancy-specific protein

Immunoglobulin Melanoma-associated antigen Pancreas-associated antigen Pregnancy-specific protein 1 Prothrombin precursor Tumorr-associated trypsin inhibitor... 

About 20 pregnancy-specific proteins (Schwangerschaft s protein)... 

During pregnancy (40th week) the level averages about 260 ig. per cent. The fact that the plasma copper level is altered by numerous conditions mentioned above is ample evidence of its physiological significance. A large part of the copper of the plasma is combined to produce a specific protein which has been called coeruloplasmin. 16... 

Merrill, A. H., Frochlich, J. A-, and McCormick, D. D. (1979). Purification of riboflavin-binding proteins from bovine plasma and discovery of a pregnancy-specific riboflavin-binding protein,. Bioi. Chem. 254,9362-9.364. 

Hematopoiesis occurs in the liver during the first two trimesters and transfers to the fetal bone marrow during the third trimester. The liver is also responsible for production of specific proteins (such as albumin and clotting factors), metabolism and detoxification of many compounds, and secretion of substances such as bilirubin. A clinically useful protein produced by the liver is AFP. Detoxification and bilirubin secretion mechanisms are immature until late in pregnancy and even in the first few months after birth. Thus premature infants often have high serum bilirubin concentrations and metabolize drugs poorly. 

A treatise on chemistry, biology, and clinical applications of the carcino-embryonic proteins, a-foetoprotein, isoferritin, pregnancy-specific /3rgly coprotein, and carcinoembryonic antigen has been published.Studies on carcinoembryonic antigen and related glycoproteins as tumour markers have been reviewed. 

Copper is toxic in patients with Wilson s disease because its. thermodynamic activity is appreciable. In normal individuals the activity of copper is virtually zero because copper is almost always present only as the prosthetic element of one of another specific protein. A copper ion that is firmly bound to a specific copper-protein is not toxic, as exemplified by ceruloplasmin-copper, which is normally present at a concentration of about 100 micrograms per 100 ml. In the third trimester of pregnancy the plasma concentration of ceruloplasmin-copper normally and Innoc-ously rises as high as 300 micrograms per 100 ml. Yet 30 micrograms of non-ceruloplasmin-copper is a characteristic and highly toxic level in an untreated patient with Wilson s disease. 

A number of placental proteins, e.g. pregnancy specific fix-glycoprotein (SPi), can also be measured in serum as an index of placental function. 

Genetic tests are performed on a sample of blood, hair, skin, amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds a fetus during pregnancy), or other tissue. For example, a procedure called a buccal smear uses a small brush or cotton swab to collect a sample of cells from the inside surface of the cheek. The sample is sent to a laboratory where technicians look for specific changes in chromosomes, DNA, or proteins, depending on the suspected disorder. The laboratory reports the test results in writing to a person s doctor or genetic counselor. 

Specific gravity Gram stain Bence-Jones protein Paraguat test Porphobilinogen Myoglobin Pregnancy tset Fractional urinalysis 1.016-1.022... 

Lithium Mechanism of action uncertain suppresses inositol signaling and inhibits glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), a multifunctional protein kinase No significant antagonistic actions on autonomic nervous system receptors or specific CNS receptors no sedative effects Bipolar affective disorder-prophylactic use can prevent mood swings between mania and depression Oral absorption, renal elimination half-life 20 h. narrow therapeutic window (monitor blood levels) Toxicity Tremor, edema, hypothyroidism, renal dysfunction, dysrhythmias pregnancy category D Interactions Clearance decreased by thiazides and some NSAIDs... 

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