Afamin (AFM)

Afamin is a member of the albumin gene family, which comprises four genes that localize to chromosome 4 in a tandem arrangement. These four genes encode structurally-related serum transport proteins that are known to be evolutionarily related. The protein encoded by this gene is regulated developmentally, expressed in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream. The 'new' gene, called alpha-albumin, was located 10 kb downstream from the AFP locus. The gene is selectively expressed in the liver at late stages of development. The mRNA sequence encodes a predicted secreted protein with the typical triple domain disulfide cross-linked structure. Comparisons of coding and promoter sequences suggested that ALBA could be a phylogenetic intermediate between the ALB and AFP genes.