alpha-Fetoprotein gene expression. Partial DNA sequence and COOH-terminal homology to albumin.

The DNA sequence corresponding to the 3'-terminal 540 bases of rat alpha-fetoprotein mRNA is reported. A protein synthesis termination codon lies 131 bases from the 3'-poly(A) segment. The 3'-noncoding region contains a purine-rich segment as well as the characteristic AAUAAA sequence. Analysis of the DNA-derived amino acid sequence shows extensive homology to mammalian albumins. Forty per cent of the residues are identical with no extensive additions or deletions and all of the cysteinyl residues that maintain the tertiary structure of albumin are conserved in the COOH-terminal domain of alpha-fetoprotein.