Acid phosphatase

Acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2, acid phosphomonoesterase, phosphomonoesterase, glycerophosphatase, acid monophosphatase, acid phosphohydrolase, acid phosphomonoester hydrolase, uteroferrin, acid nucleoside diphosphate phosphatase, orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (acid optimum)) is a phosphatase, a type of enzyme, used to free attached phosphate groups from other molecules during digestion. It is basically a phosphomonoesterase. It is stored in lysosomes and functions when these fuse with endosomes, which are acidified while they function; therefore, it has an acid pH optimum.

Different forms of acid phosphatase are found in different organs, and their serum levels are used to evaluate the success of the surgical treatment of prostate cancer. In the past, they were also used to diagnose this type of cancer.

Reference ranges for blood tests, showing acid phosphatase in red at left.

Acid phosphatase catalyzes the following reaction at an optimal pH below 7:

Orthophosphoric monoester + H₂O → alcohol + H₃PO₄

Phosphatase enzymes are also used by soil microorganisms to access organically bound phosphate nutrients. An assay on the rates of activity of these enzymes may be used to ascertain biological demand for phosphates in the soil.

Some plant roots, especially cluster roots, exude carboxylates that perform acid phosphatase activity, helping to mobilise phosphorus in nutrient-deficient soils.

Certain bacteria like Nocardia, can degrade this enzyme and utilize it as a carbon source

Genes

• ACP1
• ACP2
• ACPP (ACP3), Prostatic acid phosphatase
• ACP5, Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase
• ACP6
• ACPT, Testicular acid phosphatase
• Tissue acid phosphatase, or Lysosomal acid phosphatase

See also

• alkaline phosphatase

External links

• Acid phosphatase at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
• EC 3.1.3.2