[Immunochemical study of the embryonal prealbumin-2 (EPA-2) in embryonal and adult human tissues].

Embryonal prealbumin-2 /EPA-2/ was shown to be a protein, which was actively synthesized in fetus during embryogenesis. The highest content of EPA-2 was found in soft fetal tissues; this suggesting that the protein synthesis occurred in organs of mesodermal origin. To the moment of delivery the content of EPA-2 in fetus was distinctly decreased and the protein was not detected using the immunodiffusion technique in blood serum of adult persons, i e. the EPA-2 synthesis was markedly reduced. Low content of EPA-2 was observed in human gastrointestinal tract, locomotive system, spleen and skin tissues. The EPA-2 synthesis was increased distinctly in malignant tumors, especially, of connective tissue, whereas in tumors of epithelial tissue the content of EPA-2 often depended on presence of connective tissue elements.