Acid phosphatases

• Published in: Molecular pathology Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 65 - 72
• Main Authors: Bull, H, Murray, P G, Thomas, D, Fraser, A M, Nelson, P N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.04.2002; BMJ; British Medical Journal Publishing Group
• Subjects: acid phosphatase; Acid Phosphatase - analysis; Acid Phosphatase - deficiency; Acid Phosphatase - metabolism; acid phosphatases; alpha-Macroglobulins - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - analysis; Biomarkers - blood; bone resorption; Bone Resorption - metabolism; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; EAP; erythrocyte acid phosphatase; Favism - diagnosis; FSD; functional secretory domain; Gaucher Disease - diagnosis; Humans; Intracellular Fluid - enzymology; Isoenzymes - analysis; Isoenzymes - deficiency; Isoenzymes - metabolism; LAP; Leukemia, Hairy Cell - diagnosis; lysosomal acid phosphatase; Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Osteoarticular involvement in other diseases; OcAP; osteoclast; osteoclast acid phosphatase; Osteoclasts - enzymology; Osteoporosis - enzymology; PAP; Prostate; prostate acid phosphatase; prostate specific antigen; Prostatic Neoplasms - diagnosis; Protein Binding; PSA; reactive oxygen species; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Reviews; ROS; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; TRAP; Human; Enzyme; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Phosphoric monoester hydrolases; Resorption; Esterases; Bone disease; Osteoclast; Review; Resistance; Tartrate; Treatment; Hydrolases; Diagnosis; Bone; Acid phosphatase; Bibliographic review
• ISSN: 1366-8714; 1472-4154
• DOI: 10.1136/mp.55.2.65

Acid phosphatases (APs) are a family of enzymes that are widespread in nature, and can be found in many animal and plant species. Mystery surrounds the precise functional role of these molecular facilitators, despite much research. Yet, paradoxically, human APs have had considerable impact as tools of clinical investigation and intervention. One particular example is tartrate resistant acid phosphatase, which is detected in the serum in raised amounts accompanying pathological bone resorption. This article seeks to explore the identity and diversity of APs, and to demonstrate the relation between APs, human disease, and clinical diagnosis.