Acid phosphatase

Acid phosphatases are enzymes of the group consisting of phosphatases, of which optimum pH is in the acidic range ( 4.5-5.5 ). They occur in lysosomes and play there, especially in apoptosis a crucial role.

Phosphatases are phosphoric acid ester -cleaving hydrolases, these are divided depending on the pH optimum between alkaline and acid phosphatases. These simple, acid-and heat-stable enzymes dephosphorylate compounds with a high phosphate group transfer potential.

Acid phosphatase has a pH optimum of 4 to 5, it comes in the lysosomes as Leitenzym before. In this organelle, the pH is in this range, while it is in the cytoplasm of about 7 to 7.3.

Previously, the activity of the prostate-specific acid phosphatase in serum was determined for suspected prostate cancer. Today it has been replaced in this application by the more sensitive (but less specific ) PSA ( prostate specific antigen).

Using enzyme histochemistry, the acid phosphatase can be detected in products. As a substrate, a naphthyl is used which is converted to a naphthol. Coupled with a diazonium salt produced a colored diazo dye.

• Phosphatase
• Prostate