Phosphatase, Acid

I.U.B.: 3.1.3.2

Acid phosphatase is an esterase with broad activity at an optimal pH below 7.0. There are three isozymes, EI, EII, and EIII of similar molecular weight (55 kDa± 5 kDa). Their optimum pH's are 5.5, 4.5, and 4.0 respectively. Acid phosphatase activity was observed by Teller Worthington Library Archives in 1954 in preparations of a wheat germ lipase described by Singer JBC, 174, 11, in 1948. Equivalent commercial preparations have been distributed labeled as lipase and acid phosphatase thus generating some confusion. Subsequent work has confirmed that the non-specific esterase activity of the wheat germ preparation may be measured both as lipase (triacetin as substrate) and phosphatase. The enzyme assay is based on the work of Brandenberger and Hanson (Helv. Chim. Acta, 36, 900, 1953) and Hofstee ( Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 51, 239, 1954).