Detection of alkaline phosphatase activity after conventional isoelectric focusing by an indoxyl-tetrazolium salt technique

Alkaline phosphatase was solubilized from human and rat tissues using papain in the presence of TRITON X-100 and subjected to isoelectric focusing (IEF) in polyacrylamide or agarose gels. Up till now, usually 1- and 2-naphthylphosphates have been used as substrates in order to specifically stain molecular forms of this enzyme by the azo-dye technique. In this paper, the use of another histochemical substrate, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoxyl phosphate, in combination with tetrazolium salts [McGadey, J. (1970) Histochemie 23, 180-184] is presented. After hydrolysis, the released indoxyl moieties reduce tetrazolium salts to insoluble formazans at the zones of alkaline phosphatase activity. Zymogrammes showing molecular forms of alkaline phosphatase from 20 rat organs and the application of this staining technique for the detection of alkaline phosphatase activity in non-dialyzed human plasma after IEF are presented.     

Nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide inhibition of pig kidney alkaline phosphatase.

1. The interaction of NAD+, NADH and various nucleotide analogues with pig kidney alkaline phosphatase (orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (alkaline optimum) EC 3.1.3.1) has been investigated by kinetic means. Some inhibitors act uncompetitively whereas others markedly increase the slopes of double reciprocal plots suggesting they have some affinity for the free enzyme. 2. The compounds seem to bind to alkaline phosphatase through interactions of their bases with a relatively non-specific region of the enzyme, although it is likely that for those nucleotides having some affinity for the free enzyme there is some attraction between the pyrophosphate backbone and the active site. 3. From studies of the effect of NAD+ and NADH on ATPase activity it was concluded that the substrate inhibition that is characteristic of the ATPase activity of alkaline phosphatase originates from binding of ATP to the site assumed to exist for NAD+ and NADH. The potentiation of NAD+-inhibition of ATPase activity by Mg-2+ is probably a result of the depletion of [ATP-4-] the true substrate. The depletion allows NAD+ to complete more effectively for the active site. 4. Binding of NADH is favoured by protonation of an enzymic group with a pK of approx. 9.0 belonging possibly to a tyrosine residue or a zinc hydrate. 5. A large entropy decrease was found to accompany the binding of NAD+ and NADH to alkaline phosphatase. This may be further evidence of an "induced-fit" mechanism previously suspected because of the synergistic inhibitory effects of adenosine and nicotinamide.     

Redox intermediates of Desulfovibrio gigas [NiFe] hydrogenase generated under hydrogen. M?ssbauer and EPR characterization of the metal centers

The hydrogenase (EC 1.2.2.1) of Desulfovibrio gigas is a complex enzyme containing one nickel center, one [3Fe-4S] and two [4Fe-4S] clusters. Redox intermediates of this enzyme were generated under hydrogen (the natural substrate) using a redox-titration technique and were studied by EPR and M?ssbauer spectroscopy. In the oxidized states, the two [4Fe-4S]2+ clusters exhibit a broad quadrupole doublet with parameters (apparent delta EQ = 1.10 mm/s and delta = 0.35 mm/s) typical for this type of cluster. Upon reduction, the two [4Fe-4S]1+ clusters are spectroscopically distinguishable, allowing the determination of their midpoint redox potentials. The cluster with higher midpoint potential (-290 +/- 20 mV) was labeled Fe-S center I and the other with lower potential (-340 +/- 20 mV), Fe-S center II. Both reduced clusters show atypical magnetic hyperfine coupling constants, suggesting structural differences from the clusters of bacterial ferredoxins. Also, an unusually broad EPR signal, labeled Fe-S signal B', extending from approximately 150 to approximately 450 mT was observed concomitantly with the reduction of the [4Fe-4S] clusters. The following two EPR signals observed at the weak-field region were tentatively attributed to the reduced [3Fe-4S] cluster: (i) a signal with crossover point at g approximately 12, labeled the g = 12 signal, and (ii) a broad signal at the very weak-field region (approximately 3 mT), labeled the Fe-S signal B. The midpoint redox potential associated with the appearance of the g = 12 signal was determined to be -70 +/- 10 mV. At potentials below -250 mV, the g = 12 signal began to decrease in intensity, and simultaneously, the Fe-S signal B appeared. The transformation of the g = 12 signal into the Fe-S signal B was found to parallel the reduction of the two [4Fe-4S] clusters indicating that the [3Fe-4S]o cluster is sensitive to the redox state of the [4Fe-4S] clusters. Detailed redox profiles for the previously reported Ni-signal C and the g = 2.21 signal were obtained in this study, and evidence was found to indicate that these two signals represent two different oxidation states of the enzyme. Finally, the mechanistic implications of our results are discussed.     

Bovine kidney alkaline phosphatase. Catalytic properties, subunit interactions in the catalytic process, and mechanism of Mg2+ stimulation.

Kidney alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme which requires two types of metals for maximal activity: zinc, which is essential, and magnesium, which is stimulatory. The main features of the Mg2+ stimulation have been analyzed. The stimulation is pH-dependent and is observed mainly between pH 7.5 and 10.5. Mg2+ binding to native alkaline phosphatase is characterized by a dissociation constant of 50 muM at pH 8.5,25 degrees. Binding of Zn2+ is an athermic process. Both the rate constants of association, ka, and of dissociation, kd, have low values. Typical values are 7 M(-1) at pH 8.0, 25 degrees, for ka and 4.10(-4) S(-1) at pH 8.0, 25 degrees, for kd. The on and off processes have high activation energies of 29 kcal mol (-1). Mg2+ can be replaced at its specific site by Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+. Zinc binding to the Mg2+ site inhibits the native alkaline phosphatase. Mn2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ also bind to the Mg2+ site with a stimulatory effect which is nearly identic-al with that of Mg2+, Mn2+ is the stimulatory cation which binds most tightly to the Mg2+ site; the dissociation constant of the Mn2+ kidney phosphatase complex is 2 muM at pH 8.5. The stoichiometry of Mn2+ binding has been found to be 1 eq of Mn2+ per mol of dimeric kidney phosphatase. The native enzyme displays absolute half-site reactivity for Mn2+ binding. Mg2+ binding site and the substrate binding sites are distinct sites. The Mg2+ stimulation corresponds to an allosteric effect. Mg2+ binding to its specific sites does not affect substrate recognition, it selectively affects Vmax values. Quenching of the phosphoenzyme formed under steady state conditions with [32P]AMP as a substrate as well as stopped flow analysis of the catalyzed hydrolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl phosphate or p-nitrophenyl phosphate have shown that the two active sites of the native and of the Mg2+-stimulated enzyme are not equivalent. Stopped flow analysis indicated that one of the two active sites was phosphorylated very rapidly whereas the other one was phosphorylated much more slowly at pH 4.2. Half of the sites were shown to be reactive at pH 8.0. Quenching experiments have shown that only one of the two sites is phosphorylated at any instant; this result was confirmed by the stopped flow observation of a burst of only 1 mol of nitrophenol per mol of dimeric phosphatase in the pre-steady state hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate. The half-of-the-sites reactivity observed for the native and for the Mg2+-stimulated enzyme indicates that the same type of complex, the monophosphorylated complex, accumulates under steady state conditions with both types of enzymes. Mg2+ binding to the native enzyme at pH 8.0 increases considerably the dephosphorylation rate of this monophosphorylated intermediate. A possible mechanism of Mg2+ stimulation is discussed.     

Biologically related iron-sulfur clusters as reaction centers. Reduction of acetylene to ethylene in systems based on [Fe4S4(SR)4]3-

The possibility that clusters containing the Fe4S4 core unit found in a wide variety of proteins can effect reductive transformations of Fe-S enzyme substrates has been investigated using the reduced synthetic clusters [Fe4S4(SPh)4]3- and acetylene, an alternate nitrogenase substrate. The system [Fe4S4(SPh)4]3-/acetic acid/acetic anhydride in N-methylpyrollidinone at approximately 25 degrees was found to reduce acetylene homogeneously to ethylene, and in the presence of a deuterium source to afford as the principal stereochemical product cis-1,2-C2H2D2. No appreciable reduction was found using the oxidized cluster [Fe4S4(SPh)4]2-. The system is not catalytic and departs from the strict stoichiometry of the reaction, 2[Fe4S4(SPh)4]3- + C2H2 + 2H+ leads to 2 [Fe4S4(SPh)4]2- + C2H4, primarily because of a competing cluster oxidation reaction which could not be eliminated. Based on this reaction ca. 60% conversion of acetylene to ethylene was achieved. A reaction sequence based on absorption and 1H nmr spectral observations and product stereo-chemistry is suggested. The results demonstrate that biologically related, reduced Fe4S4 clusters can effect reduction of at least one Fe-S enzyme substrate, and raise the general possibility of substrate transformation with such clusters as reaction sites in biological systems.     

Partial purification and characterization of phosphotyrosyl-protein phosphatase from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

We have previously described a phosphotyrosylprotein phosphatase in membrane vesicles from human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells which is inhibited by micromolar concentration of Zn2+ and is insensitive to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and NaF [Brautigan, D. L., Bornstein, P., & Gallis, B. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 6519-6522]. Here we present the identification and partial purification of a similar enzyme from lysates of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. the enzyme was purified by using diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex, Zn2+ affinity, and Sephadex G-75 chromatography. During purification, the phosphatase was separated into at least three fractions, all of which exhibited very similar properties and an apparent molecular weight of 40 000 upon gel filtration. The enzyme dephosphorylated phosphotyrosine (P-Tyr)-containing carboxymethylated and succinylated (CM-SC) phosphorylase with an apparent Km of 0.8 microM, as well as P-Tyr containing casein and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor kinase, but did not dephosphorylate P-Ser-phosphorylase. The phosphatase was inhibited by Zn2+ at micromolar concentrations (K0.5 with EGF receptor kinase = 5 X 10(-6) M; with CM-SC phosphorylase = 3.3 X 10(-5) M) but not by millimolar concentrations of EDTA and NaF. No inhibition was seen with 1 mM tetramisole, a specific inhibitor of alkaline phosphatases. P-Tyr inhibited the enzyme by 50% at 0.4 X 10(-3) M, while Tyr, Pi, PPi, and p-nitrophenyl phosphate, an excellent substrate for alkaline phosphatases and structurally very similar to P-Tyr, exerted partial inhibition at concentrations above 10(-3) M. The pH optimum was found to be 6.5-7, depending on the substrate used. Very little activity was seen below pH 5 and above pH 8.5. These properties clearly distinguish this enzyme from alkaline phosphatases, as well as the neutral and acidic protein phosphatases so far described, and therefore define it as a new enzyme of the phosphatase family--a phosphotyrosyl-protein phosphatase.     

An optimized method for the chemiluminescent detection of alkaline phosphatase levels during osteodifferentiation by bone morphogenetic protein 2

Differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells into osteoblasts is a pivotal step during the normal development and repair of bone. Upregulation of endogenous cellular alkaline phosphatase activity (AP) is a commonly used intracellular marker for the assessment of osteoprogenitor cell differentiation into the osteoblastic phenotype. Current methods for assaying AP involve colorimetric detection of the enzyme's activity using the synthetic substrate p-nitrophenol phosphate. In this paper, we explored an alternative method of detecting AP using the chemiluminescent substrate disodium 3-(4-methoxyspiro[1,2-dioxetane-3,2'-(5'-chloro)tricyclo[3.3.1.1(3,7)]decan]-4-yl) phenyl phosphate (CSPD) for enhanced AP sensitivity and a more simplified assay. Using calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase as a standardizing enzyme, we determined that the chemiluminescent detection system was four orders of magnitude more sensitive than the standard colorimetric method of detection. Moreover, the chemiluminescent assay was faster and markedly simpler to perform. To maximize the utility of this assay system, two osteoprogenitor cell lines were compared for their ability to generate alkaline phosphatases in vitro when exposed to recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2). The W20-17 cell line was substantially more sensitive to rhBMP-2 than the C3H10T1/2 cell line, where each cell line produced detectable increases in AP after exposure to rhBMP-2 levels of 5 and 25 ng/ml, respectively. The experimental design for AP responsiveness to rhBMP-2 was further optimized for chemiluminescent detection with the W20-17 cell line by comparing the effects of reporter cell seeding density and the day of assay. In summary, the data presented in this paper demonstrate a faster, simpler, and more sensitive chemiluminescent method to monitor changes in AP levels during osteodifferentiation.     

Disposable amperometric immunosensor for the detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using screen-printed electrodes

An amperometric immunosensor for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was developed. The immunosensor was based on disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes. The coating antigen used was phenanthrene-9-carboxaldehyde coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA) via adipic acid dihydrazide. Antibodies were monoclonal mouse anti-phenanthrene. The enzyme alkaline phosphatase (AP) was used in combination with the substrate p-aminophenyl phosphate (pAPP) for detection at +300 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl). Various assay types were compared. Good results were achieved with an indirect co-exposure competition assay with a LOD of 0.8 ng/ml (800 ppt) and an IC(50) of 7.1 ng/ml (7.1 ppb) for phenanthrene. An indirect competition assay could detect phenanthrene with a LOD of 2 ng/ml (IC(50): 15 ng/ml) and an indirect displacement assay with a LOD of 2 ng/ml (IC(50): 11 ng/ml) at a 5 microl surface coating of 8.8 microg/ml phenanthrene-BSA conjugate. A coating concentration of 2.2 microg/ml allowed detection with a LOD of 0.25 ng/ml (250 ppt) with the indirect competition assay. The influence of the coating concentration on the sensor performance was investigated. Cross-reactivities were tested for 16 important PAHs. Anthracene and chrysene showed strong cross-reactivity, whereas benzo[g,h,i]perylene and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene showed no cross-reactivity.     

Isolation and characterization of an alkaline phosphatase from pea thylakoids

Endogenous dephosphorylation of the light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein complex of photosystem II in pea (Pisum sativum, L. cv Progress 9) thylakoids drives the state 2 to state 1 transition; the responsible enzyme is a thylakoid-bound, fluoride-sensitive phosphatase with a pH optimum of 8.0 (Bennett J [1980] Eur J Biochem 104: 85-89). An enzyme with these characteristics was isolated from well-washed thylakoids. Its molecular mass was estimated at 51.5 kD, and this monomer was catalytically active, although the activity was labile. The active site could be labeled with orthophosphate at pH 5.0. High levels of alkaline phosphatase activity were obtained with the assay substrate, 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate (350 micromoles per minute per milligram purified enzyme). The isolated enzyme functioned as a phosphoprotein phosphatase toward phosphorylated histone III-S and phosphorylated, photosystem II-enriched particles from pea, with typical activities in the range of 200 to 600 picomoles per minute per milligram enzyme. These activities all had a pH optimum of 8.0 and were fluoride sensitive. The enzyme required magnesium ion for maximal activity but was not dependent on this ion. Evidence supporting a putative function for this phosphatase in dephosphorylation of thylakoid proteins came from the inhibition of this process by a polyclonal antibody preparation raised against the partially purified enzyme.     

N-arylazido-beta-alanyl-NAD+, a new NAD+ photoaffinity analogue. Synthesis and labeling of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase

N-Arylazido-beta-alanyl-NAD+ [N3'-O-(3-[N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]propionyl)NAD+] has been prepared by alkaline phosphatase treatment of arylazido-beta-alanyl-NADP+ [N3'-O-(3-[N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]propionyl)NADP+]. This NAD+ analogue was found to be a potent competitive inhibitor (Ki = 1.45 microM) with respect to NADH for the purified bovine heart mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase (EC 1.6.99.3). The enzyme was irreversibly inhibited as well as covalently labeled by this analogue upon photoirradiation. A stoichiometry of 1.15 mol of N-arylazido-beta-alanyl-NAD+ bound/mol of enzyme, at 100% inactivation, was determined from incorporation studies using tritium-labeled analogue. Among the three subunits, 0.85 mol of the analogue was bound to the Mr = 51,000 subunit, and each of the two smaller subunits contained 0.15 mol of the analogue when the dehydrogenase was completely inhibited upon photolysis. Both the irreversible inactivation and the covalent incorporation could be prevented by the presence of NADH during photolysis. These results indicate that N-arylazido-beta-alanyl-NAD+ is an active-site-directed photoaffinity label for the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase, and are further evidence that the Mr = 51,000 subunit contains the NADH binding site. Previous studies using A-arylazido-beta-alanyl-NAD+ [A3'-O-(3-[N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]propionyl)NAD+] demonstrated that the NADH binding site is on the Mr = 51,000 subunit [Chen, S., & Guillory, R. J. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 8318-8323]. Results are also presented to show that N-arylazido-beta-alanyl-NAD+ binds the dehydrogenase in a more effective manner than A-arylazido-beta-alanyl-NAD+.     

Modification of the radiochemical assay of rat liver mevalonate-5-diphosphate decarboxylase and induction and stabilization of the activity.

Problems encountered in attempts to purify mevalonate-5-diphosphate decarboxylase from rat liver are addressed. These are the quantitative, facile separation of [14C]isopentenol in the radiochemical assay (2) the instability of the enzyme activity and (3) the very low activity in rat liver. The assay was modified by using Sep Pac C18 filters to bind and release [14C]isopentenol. Authentic isopentenol was quantitated by absorbance at 210 nm wavelength and the extinction coefficient estimated to be epsilon m = 3.26 X 10(3). Recovery of authentic isopentenol from aqueous solution after binding and elution into methanol was quantitative from 10-100 nmols. Recovery of [14C]ispentenol from assay mixtures using 2-[14C]mevalonate-5-diphosphate and alkaline phosphatase to hydrolyze phosphate was quantitative using Sep Pac filter but not using petroleum ether extraction. Enzyme activity was stabilized by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, aprotinin and leupeptin and was stable at -73 degrees C for 3 months. Activity of the decarboxylase was increased by 5-fold after feeding young rats 2.5% cholestyramine for ten days to four weeks.     

The mechanism of hydrolysis of beta-glycerophosphate by kidney alkaline phosphatase.

1. To identify the functional groups that are involved in the conversion of beta-glycerophosphate by alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) from pig kidney, the kinetics of alkaline phosphatase were investigated in the pH range 6.6-10.3 at substrate concentrations of 3 muM-30 mM. From the plots of log VH+ against pH and log VH+/KH+m against pH one functional group with pK = 7.0 and two functional groups with pK = 9.1 were identified. These groups are involved in substrate binding. Another group with pK = 8.8 was found, which in its unprotonated form catalyses substrate conversion. 2. GSH inhibits the alkaline phosphatase reversibly and non-competitively by attacking the bound Zn(II). 3. The influence of the H+ concentration on the activation by Mg2+ ions of alkaline pig kidney phosphate was investigated between pH 8.4 and 10.0. The binding of substrate and activating Mg2+ ions occurs independently at all pH values between 8.4 and 10.0. The activation mechanism is not affected by the H+ concentration. The Mg2+ ions are bound by a functional group with a pK of 10.15. 4. A scheme is proposed for the reaction between enzyme, substrate, Mg2+ and H+ and the overall rate equation is derived. 5. The mechanism of substrate binding and splitting by the functional groups of the active centre is discussed on the basis of a model. Mg2+ seems to play a role as an autosteric effector.     

Potent inhibition of membrane-bound rat intestinal alkaline phosphatase by a new series of phosphate analogues.

The inhibition by phosphonates and phosphate analogues of the alkaline phosphatase activity of rat intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles was studied at pH 7.5 and 30 degrees C. Phenylene-1,3-diphosphonate, 2,6-dinitrophenylphosphonate and phosphonoacetaldehyde were found to be competitive inhibitors, with Ki values in the range 16-80 microM. Adenosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate and adenosine 5'[gamma-thio]triphosphate are also very potent inhibitors, with Ki values of approx. 10 microM. The inhibition produced by these thiophosphates was mainly competitive but with a slight non-competitive element. Adenosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate is also a competitive inhibitor of the alkaline phosphatase, but oxidation of the ribose moiety of this compound with NaIO4 results in an active-site-directed irreversible inhibitor that could be of general use in studies of the mechanism of action of this enzyme.     

DNA hybridization assay using ATTOPHOS, a fluorescent substrate for alkaline phosphatase.

A fluorometric procedure for the detection of DNA-DNA hybrids is described. The procedure involved the detection of probe-bound alkaline phosphatase with the fluorescent substrate ATTOPHOS. This substrate is converted to ATTOFLUOR by alkaline phosphatase and fluoresces strongly at 550 nm when excited with a wavelength of 440 nm. DNA hybridization assays were performed both with dilutions of purified target plasmid DNA (pSE9 or PBR322) and whole bacterial cells. Streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase conjugates were added to react with bound probe. Fluorometric assays, as well as colorimetric assays, using 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolylphosphate + nitroblue tetrazolium for alkaline phosphatase activity were performed. The fluorescence of the substrate was measured at time intervals, and the slope of the regression line calculated. A slope four times greater than that of background was considered positive. One hundred femtograms or 2.2 x 10(4) molecules of homologous DNA were detected with the fluorescent assay as compared with 10,000 femtograms or 2.2 x 10(6) molecules of homologous DNA with the colorimetric assay. Similar results were obtained with whole cells. Approximately 1 x 10(3) homologous cells were detected fluorometrically and 1 x 10(5) cells were detected colorimetrically. Based on these results, we conclude that, in our hands, the DNA hybridization assay described here using ATTOPHOS as the substrate for alkaline phosphatase is a very sensitive assay for the detection of DNA-DNA hybrids.     

Enzymic dephosphorylation of D-myo-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate in rat brain.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] and inositol 1,4-bisphosphate [Ins(1,4)P2] phosphatase activities were measured in both 180,000 g (60 min) particulate and supernatant fractions of rat brain homogenates. Although Ins(1,4,5)P3 was mostly hydrolysed by a particulate phosphatase [Erneux, Delvaux, Moreau & Dumont (1986) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 134, 351-358], Ins(1,4)P2 phosphatase was predominantly soluble. The latter enzyme was Mg2+-dependent and sensitive to thiol-blocking agents (e.g. p-hydroxymercuribenzoate). In contrast with Ins(1,4,5)P3 phosphatase activity measured in the soluble fraction, Ins(1,4)P2 phosphatase was insensitive to 0.001-1 mM-2,3-bisphosphoglycerate. Lithium salts, widely used in psychiatric treatment, inhibited both Ins(1,4)P2 and Ins(1)P1 phosphatase activities of the crude soluble fraction. In particular, 50% inhibition of phosphatase activity, with 2 microM-Ins(1,4)P2 as substrate, was achieved at 3-5 mM-LiCl. At these concentrations, LiCl did not change Ins(1,4,5)P3 phosphatase activity measured in the same fraction with 1-4 microM-Ins(1,4,5)P3 as substrate. Chromatography of the soluble fraction of a rat brain homogenate on DEAE-cellulose resolved three phosphatase activities. These forms, peaks I, II and III, dephosphorylated Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(1)P1 and Ins(1,4)P2 respectively. If LiCl (10 mM) was included in the assay mixture, it inhibited both peak-II Ins(1)P1 phosphatase and peak-III Ins(1,4)P2 phosphatase, suggesting the existence of at least two Li+-sensitive phosphatases.     

The catalytic-centre activity and kinetic properties of bovine milk alkaline phosphatase

1. The phosphorylation of milk alkaline phosphatase was studied under various conditions: maximum incorporation occurred at pH5.0 and 50% incorporation at pH6.6-7.0. 2. The phosphorylation was shown to be specific and the results suggest that the active centre of the enzyme is involved in the process. 3. Phosphoryl-enzyme is rapidly hydrolysed at alkaline pH. at pH7.0 the results suggest that a phosphoryl-enzyme could occur as a transient intermediate in the hydrolysis of phosphate esters by the phosphatase. 4. The catalytic-centre activity of the enzyme was found to be 2700sec.(-1) at pH10.0 and 25 degrees with p-nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate.     

Isolation of tau-phosphohistidine from a phosphoryl-enzyme intermediate of human prostatic acid phosphatase.

The carbethoxylation of prostatic acid phosphatase (orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (acid optimum), EC 3.1.3.2) was accompanied by modification of histidine residues and the inactivation of the enzyme. These findings are consistent with photoinactivation experiments described earlier (Rybarska, J. and Ostrowski, W (1974) Acta Biochim, Polon. 21, 377--390). Prostatic acid phosphatase was phosphorylated at alkaline pH using p-nitrophenyl [32P]phosphate as substrate. Phosphoryl enzyme is stable in alkaline solutions and undergoes dephosphorylation at acidic pH. After hydrolysis of phosphoryl enzyme in strong alkaline solution, a single phosphoryl amino acid was isolated from hydrolyzate and identified as the tau-phosphohistidine.     

Phosphorylation of purified bovine heart and rat liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase by protein kinase C and comparison of the fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase activity of the two enzymes.

Purified bovine heart 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase can be phosphorylated in the presence of protein kinase C and dephosphorylated by alkaline phosphatase; changes in phosphorylation state have no effect on enzyme activity. By contrast, the rat liver enzyme is a poor substrate for protein kinase C. Unlike the liver enzyme, which is bifunctional and is phosphorylated by fructose 2,6-[2-32P]bisphosphate, the heart enzyme contains 10 times less fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase activity and is phosphorylated at a slower rate and to a lesser extent than the liver enzyme. Both rat liver and bovine heart enzymes catalyse a similar exchange reaction between [U-14C]ADP and ATP.     

Enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase inside protein and polymer structures fabricated via multiphoton excitation

We demonstrate micron scale control of bioactivity through the use of multiphoton excited photochemistry, where this technique has been used to cross-link three-dimensional matrixes of alkaline phosphatase, bovine serum albumin, and polyacrylamide and combinations therein. Using a fluorescence-based assay (ELF-97), the enzymatic activity has been studied using a Michaelis-Menten analysis, and we have measured the specificity constants kcat/KM for alkaline phosphatase in both the protein and polymer matrixes to be on the order of 10(5)-10(6) M(-1) s(-1)and are comparable to known literature values in other environments. It is found that the enzyme is simply entrapped in the polymer matrix, whereas it is completely covalently bound in the protein structures. The relative reaction rate of alkaline phosphatase bound to BSA with the ELF substrate was measured as a function of cross-link density and was found to decrease in the more tightly formed matrixes, indicating a decrease in the diffusion in the matrix.     

Mechanism of action of Mg2+ and Zn2+ on rat placental alkaline phosphatase. I. Studies on the soluble Zn2+ and Mg2+ alkaline phosphatases.

Rat placental alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), a dimer of 135,000 daltons, is strongly activated by Mg2+. However, Zn2+ has to be present on the apoenzyme to obtain this activation. Mg2+ alone is unable to reconstitute functional active sites. Excess Zn2+ which competes for the Mg2+ site leads to a phosphatase with little catalytic activity at alkaline pH but with normal active sites at acidic pH as shown by covalent incorporation of ortho-[32P]phosphate. Two enzyme species with identical functional active sites have been reconstituted that only differ by the presence of Zn2+ or Mg2+ at the effector site. A mechanism is presented by which alkaline phosphatase activity of rat placenta would be controlled by a molecular process involving the interaction of Mg2+ and Zn2+ with the dimeric enzyme molecule.