Different molecular species of fetuin A exist in human plasma and these different modifications may determine diverse biological effects of fetuin A. To help researchers elucidate the physiological function and clinical significance of fetuin A, CD BioGlyco has established several methods to detect and characterize biomarker fetuin A.

Fetuin A

In adults, fetuin A is expressed and secreted into the circulation mainly by the liver. Fetuin A is an approximately 64 kDa glycoprotein consisting of an A-chain (282 aa), a B-chain (182 aa) and a linker peptide (40 aa) containing the main phosphorylation site. The protein is present in high concentrations in fetal plasma and at rather low levels in healthy adults. Using mass spectrometry, the researchers found that circulating plasma fetuin A is mainly phosphorylated at Ser312. In addition, fetuin A contains two O-linked glycosylation sites (Thr 238 and Thr 252) and two N-linked (Asp 138 and Asp 158), revealing a large heterogeneity of human fetuin A.

Fetuin A has numerous biological functions, such as acting as a calcium and phosphate transporter protein and being involved in cell adhesion and tumor growth. In addition, numerous reports implicate low fetuin A levels are associated with reduced survival of renal patients and high fetuin A levels may be associated with certain metabolic diseases including metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Serum fetuin A levels are correlated with systemic insulin resistance and liver fat, and fetuin A together with free fatty acids could predict insulin resistance in humans.

Fig.1 The major pathways leading to the production of human fetuin A. (Vashist, 2017)

Our Strategies

CD BioGlyco has developed a variety of efficient and stable methods for the detection of fetuin A in human plasma, serum, urine, and milk. The strategies we provide include but are not limited to:

• In vitro diagnostic assays based on sandwich ELISA

This methodis performed for rapid detection of human fetuin A in the concentration range from pg/mL to µg/mL.

• A simplified rapid immunoassay

Based on kinetics for human fetuin A, this method involves minimal process steps and a short sample-to-answer time.

• Surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based immunoassays,

This method provides sensitive detection of fetuin A in a complex sample matrix of diluted blood and plasma of human

Applications

• Combining detection of FGF23 and fetuin A could predict the occurrence of main adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
• Differentiating cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) from primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
• Monitoring pathological changes in biomarker levels.

Advantages of Us

• Highly trained and innovative researchers
• Multiple alternative strategies
• Stability and consistency
• Detailed after-sales service

CD BioGlyco has established a variety of rapid and cost-effective assays for the detection of fetuin A in biological samples with high sensitivity, specificity and precision, which will greatly contribute to disease surveillance and management. If you are interested in our services, please contact us for further inquiries.

References

1. Vashist, S.K.; et al. Emerging human fetuin A assays for biomedical diagnostics. Trends in Biotechnology. 2017, 35(5):407.
2. Kováová, M.; et al. Detection and characterization of phosphorylation, glycosylation, and fatty acid bound to fetuin A in human blood. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021, 10(3):411.