Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein A (PAPPA)

A large, zinc-binding protein that acts as an enzyme, specifically a metallopeptidase (the gene for PAPPA is in chromosome band 9q33.1). PAPPA has been used in prenatal genetic screening and studies of atherosclerosis. Women with low blood levels of PAPPA at pregnancy weeks eight to 14 weeks have an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction, trisomy 21, premature delivery, preeclampsia, and stillbirth.

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