Acid phosphatase
Enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphate esters in an acidic environment
Acid phosphatase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphate esters in an acidic environment. It is found in many tissues and is involved in the breakdown of phosphomonoesters to release inorganic phosphate and alcohol. Acid phosphatase is important in various biological processes, including bone resorption and the digestion of dietary phosphates.
Structure[edit | edit source]
Acid phosphatase is a lysosomal enzyme that is typically a glycoprotein. It is composed of a single polypeptide chain and contains several glycosylation sites. The enzyme has a characteristic three-dimensional structure that includes a catalytic site where the hydrolysis reaction occurs. The structure of acid phosphatase can vary slightly depending on the tissue from which it is derived.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of acid phosphatase is to hydrolyze phosphate esters at an acidic pH, typically around pH 4.8 to 5.0. This enzyme is involved in the dephosphorylation of various substrates, which is crucial for many cellular processes. In the prostate gland, acid phosphatase is secreted into the seminal fluid, where it plays a role in the liquefaction of semen.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Acid phosphatase levels can be measured in the blood and are used as a diagnostic marker for certain medical conditions. Elevated levels of acid phosphatase in the blood can indicate prostate cancer, as the enzyme is released into the bloodstream when prostate cells are damaged. It can also be elevated in other conditions such as Paget's disease, hyperparathyroidism, and Gaucher's disease.
Measurement[edit | edit source]
The measurement of acid phosphatase activity in the blood is performed using a colorimetric assay, where the enzyme's activity is determined by the rate of conversion of a substrate to a colored product. This assay is sensitive to the pH and temperature of the reaction, and it is important to maintain optimal conditions for accurate results.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Structure of acid phosphatase
Blood values sorted by mass and molar concentration
Acid phosphatase
Blood values sorted by mass and molar concentration
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
