Main serum protein of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdnerii): its biological properties and significance

• 1.1. Main serum α₁-protein (α₁P) of rainbow trout was purified and its biochemical and physico-pathological properties were studied.
• 2.2. α₁P was suggested to be a primitive protein having both properties of albumin and AFP in serum proteins of mammals according to the following results.
• 3.3. Molecular weight (75,000), two kinds of molecules (pI 4.55 and 5.05) and amino acid composition.
• 4.4. Dye- or ConA binding activity.
• 5.5. Estrogen binding activity and inhibitory effect on lymphoblastoid-forming activity.
• 6.6. Possible osmotic regulator.
• 7.7. Significant elevation of blood α₁P level in the course of hepatoma induction.