In 1938, Gutman et al. (6) described increased levels of acid phosphatase in metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. Since then, when most of us hear the term "acid phosphatase" we immediately think of prostatic cancer, and justifiably so. The link, however, between the test and the diagnosis is not as clear and simple as many of us would like to believe. I would first like to discuss this enzyme...

Agonist stimulation of cells results in phosphatidylinositol turnover and the generation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3), which mobilizes intracellular calcium. The inositol-polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (5-phosphatase) enzymes hydrolyze Ins(1,4,5)P3 in a signal-terminating reaction. We have isolated a 2.7-kilobase (kb) composite cDNA, encoding the 43-kDa membrane-associated 5-phos...

If as is now thought most genes achieve their effects by directing the synthesis of enzymes, genetic variation will be largely reflected by enzyme diversity. Such enzyme diversity in human populations is illustrated by studies on the recently dis covered genetically determined polymorphisms involving red cell acid phosphatase, phosphoglucomutase, adenylate kinase, and placental alkaline phospha...

Malaria leads to pathophysiological and biochemical alterations in placenta and blood of pregnant mice. A significant decrease in the sugar, protein and lipid levels in the placental homogenate of pregnantinfected mice was observed compared to the pregnant mice. However, serum protein content was not altered much in the pregnant-infected mice as compared to the levels in control mice. The serum...

Human placental endogenous retroviral (ERV) particle isolates were investigated by ultrastructural evaluation. Although retrovirus-like structures in normal human placental tissue sections have been described, the precise nature of these particles has not previously been defined. By direct electron microscopic (EM) observation of placental ERV isolates that display retroviral reverse transcript...

The view is advanced that it is important to fix the stage of development corresponding to the pattern of expression of oncodevelopmental proteins in neoplastic transformation and neoplasia. From a map of development focused on events beginning with the zygote and ending with the establishment of fetus and placenta, it is possible to explain why certain develop mental gene products are restrict...

We have identified, isolated, and characterized a membrane-associated inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (5-phosphatase) from the particulate fraction of human placenta. The enzyme was purified 3700-fold from a detergent extract of human placental membranes to apparent homogeneity, by chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose, S-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite, and Biosil SEC 250 HPLC gel filtration. The p...

At least four genes encode the human alkaline phosphatases (ALPs). The genes encoding three of these proteins (intestinal, placental, and placental-like ALPs), are linked on the long arm of chromosome 2, while the fourth gene (encoding liver/bone/kidney ALP) is located on chromosome 1. One of the linked genes, intestinal alkaline phosphatase, has been isolated on two overlapping phage clones an...

To evaluate phosphorus (P) availability and the role of microorganisms in P dynamics barley rhizosphere, we constructed a rhizobox using two arable Andosols under different fertilization management regimens cultivated (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Minorimugi) for 5 weeks. The phosphatase-labile pool organic (Po) was assessed phosphatase-addition approach combination with chemical extraction Po from s...