As in most forms of cancer, early diagnosis of prostatic cancer is crucial for a high curability rate. A number of biochemical tests are now available to help identify suspected prostatic cancer in the patient by measuring the activity of acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) in the patient’s serum. Multiple forms of human acid phosphatase have been described in different organs, but the richest source...

We describe radioimmunoassay for human prostatic acid phosphatase [orthophosphoric-monoester phospho-hydrolase (acid optimum), EC 3.1.3.2] in serum, with use of monospecific antisera raised in rabbits against highly purified acid phosphatase from human prostates. The antiserum did not cross react with partly purified acid phosphatases from human spleen, erythrocytes, or synovial tissues. 125I-l...

We have partially purified an 18-kDa cytoplasmic protein from 3T3-Ll cells, which dephosphorylates pNPP and the phosphorylated adipocyte lipid binding protein (ALBP), and have identified it by virtue of kinetic and immunological criteria as an acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2). The cytoplasmic acid phosphatase was inactivated by phenylarsine oxide (PAO) (K,,,, = 10 pM), and the inactivation could b...

We have modified a previously described method for determining acid phosphatase, with thymolphthalein monophosphate as substrate, to increase its sensitivity. We assessed effects of serum on variables influencing acid phosphatase activity as measured by this method. The method is shown to be not completely specific for prostatic acid phosphatase. The importance of standardizing methodology in m...