Alkaline+Phosphatase

In bacteria, alkaline phosphatase is located in the periplasmic space, external to the cell membrane. Since this space is much more subject to environmental variation than the actual interior of the cell, bacterial alkaline phosphatase is comparatively resistant to inactivation, denaturation, and degradation, and also has a higher rate of activity. Although the actual purpose of the enzyme is still not fully understood, the simple hypothesis, that it is a means for the bacteria to generate free phosphate groups for uptake and use, is supported by the fact that alkaline phosphatase is usually produced by the bacteria only during phosphate starvation and not when phosphate is plentiful. However, other possibilities exist; for instance, the presence of phosphate groups usually prevents organic molecules from passing through the membrane, therefore dephosphorylating them may be important for bacterial uptake of organic compounds in the wild. Some complexities of bacterial regulation and metabolism suggest that other, more subtle, purposes for the enzyme may also play a role for the cell. In the laboratory, however, mutant Escherichia coli lacking alkaline phosphatase survive quite well, as do mutants unable to shut off alkaline phosphatase production. The optimal pH for the activity of the E. coli enzyme is 8.0 while the bovine enzyme optimum pH is slightly higher at 8.5.
 * Alkaline phosphatase** (**ALP**, **ALKP**) ( EC 3.1.3.1 ) is a hydrolase enzyme responsible for removing phosphate groups from many types of molecules, including nucleotides, proteins, and alkaloids. The process of removing the phosphate group is called // dephospho-rylation // As the name suggests, alkaline phosphatases are most effective in an alkaline environment. It is sometimes used synonymously as **basic phosphatase.**

Alkaline Phosphate conisists of alpha helixes and makes this chemical very unique. Typical use in the lab for alkaline phosphatases includes removing phosphate monoester to prevent self ligation


 * Elevated alkaline phosphatase** is when the levels of alkaline phosphatase are larger than the reference range. Elevated alkaline phosphatase is associated with certain medical conditions or syndromes such as Hyperphosphatasia with mental retardation. If it is unclear why alkaline phosphatase is elevated, isoenzyme studies using electrophoresis can confirm the source of the ALP. Heat stability also distinguishes bone and liver isoenzymes ("bone burns, liver lasts").