title: Sugar-chain heterogeneity of human alkaline phosphatases: differences between normal and tumour-associated isozymes.
abstract: The sugar-chain heterogeneity of alkaline phosphatases (ALPs) from various human organs was investigated by using the serial lectin affinity technique. This technique revealed a possible structure of the sugar chain(s) of ALP isozymes and clarified a difference in affinity on the lectin column not only among three genetically different isozymes (liver/bone/kidney, intestinal and placental types) but also among liver, bone, and kidney ALPs. Lectin-binding profiles of ALPs in these human organs closely resembled those in the corresponding organs of the rat, as reported previously, suggesting that heterogeneities in sugar chains of ALPs have a specificity for the respective organs rather than being species-specific. Lectin-binding profiles of tumour-produced placental and liver ALPs were significantly different from those of ALPs in the respective normal organs. However, the two altered ALPs exhibited similar lectin-binding affinities. Isoelectric focusing analysis showed essentially no difference in protein charge between the normal and tumor-produced ALPs. Moreover, tumour-produced ALPs had the same N-terminal amino acid sequence and peptide mapping as normal ALPs. From these results, it is possible to suggest that organ-specific sugar chains in ALP isozymes are changed into those peculiar to tumours in association with malignant transformation.
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis*; D037102:Lectins; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D037102:Lectins; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase