Phosphatases

These are organ-specific enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of orthophosphoric acid monoesters. Acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) is a lysosomal enzyme with an optimal pH range of 3.5-5.5. It is mostly found in the prostate gland, and the enzyme is also present in erythrocytes, liver, spleen, and platelets. Changes in its activity are used in cases of prostate cancer metastasizing to bones or other prostate gland diseases. Tartrate is used for differentiation, which inhibits the prostate gland enzyme, while formaldehyde inhibits acid phosphatase from other cells. Alkaline phosphatase hydrolyzes (EC 3.1.3.1) phosphoric acid esters at pH 9.0-10.0. High concentrations of it are found in the liver, bones, intestines, kidneys, and placenta. The main sources are the liver and osteoblasts. Physiologically, the activity of this enzyme increases actively during the growth of children, adolescents’ bones, and also during pregnancy. Pathological enzyme activity is detected in cases of liver or bone diseases.

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė