A Note on the Inactivation by Heat of Acid Glycerophosphatase in Alkaline Solution

Abstract

The activity of acid phosphatases with respect to sodium beta glycero-phosphata as affected by heating in alkaline soln. was studied. The acid glycerophosphatases of the serum of human females, of males with metastasizing carcinoma of the prostate, and of extracts of human prostatic tissue and of rat liver tissue were nearly or quite completely inactivated by heating for one hour at 37[degree]C at a pH of 8 or above. Significant inactivation of the acid phosphatase in the serum of patients with metastasizing carcinoma of the prostate may take place in 30 min. at 28[degree]C, and may lead to serious errors in determinations made in warm weather.