Alkaline Phosphatase

ALKALINE phosphatases are a group of enzymes with low substrate specificity that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphate esters at an alkaline pH. These enzymes are referred to as isoenzymes because they catalyze the same reaction, are found in the same organism or species, but differ in certain physicochemical properties. Alkaline phosphatases are present in many human tissues, including bone, intestine, kidney, liver, placenta and white blood cells.1 , 2 Their physiologic function is unknown. However, their localization to membranes suggests that they may be involved in the active transport of substances across these membranes. Alkaline phosphatase is also present in serum, where . . .