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Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Direct Detection of Isolevuglandins in Tissues Using a D11 scFv-Alkaline Phosphatase Fusion Protein and Immunofluorescence
Published on: July 5, 2021
A macro-enzyme cause of an isolated increase of alkaline phosphatase
Mark A Cervinski1, Hong Kee Lee1, Isabella W Martin1
1Department of Pathology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, NH 03756, United States.
Background:
Macroenzyme complexes of serum enzymes and antibody can increase the circulating enzymatic activity and may lead to unnecessary additional testing and procedures. Laboratory physicians and scientists need to be aware of techniques to identify macroenzyme complexes when suspected.
Case Report:
To investigate the possibility of a macro-alkaline phosphatase in the serum of a 74 year old male with persistently increased alkaline phosphatase we coupled a protein A/G agarose affinity chromatography technique with isoenzyme electrophoresis to look for the presence of macro-alkaline phosphatase.
Results:
The majority of the alkaline phosphatase activity in the patient's serum sample was bound to the column and only a minor fraction (25%) of alkaline phosphatase activity was present in the column flow-through. The alkaline phosphatase activity was also found to co-elute with the immunoglobulins in the patient sample. The alkaline phosphatase activity in a control serum sample concurrently treated in the same manner did not bind to the column and was found in the column flow-through.
Conclusion:
The use of protein A/G agarose affinity chromatography is a rapid and simple method that can be applied to the investigation of other macro-enzyme complexes.
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