Alpha-lactalbumin

Stains
Alpha-lactalbumin

Author: Nat Pernick, M.D. (see Authors page)

Revised: 24 September 2015, last major update January 2014

Copyright: (c) 2003-2015, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.

PubMed Search: alpha lactalbumin[title]

Table of Contents

Definition / general | Uses by pathologists

Cite this page: Alpha-lactalbumin. PathologyOutlines.com website. http://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/stainsalphalactalbumin.html. Accessed July 12th, 2017.

Definition / general

Main whey protein in human and cow's milk (Wikipedia)
Helps synthesize lactose from glucose and galactose in mammary gland (Arch Latinoam Nutr 2012;62:6)
Specific to breast tissue (normal, malignant, fibrocystic) and hydradenoma papilliferum of vulva, but not a common immunostain

Uses by pathologists

GCDFP-15 is more specific for metastatic breast cancer than alpha-lactalbumin (Hum Pathol 1989;20:281)