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Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Assaying for Inorganic Polyphosphate in Bacteria
Published on: January 21, 2019
Alkaline phosphatase determines polyphosphate-induced mineralization in a cell-type independent manner
Yoshikazu Mikami1, Hiromasa Tsuda2, Yuko Akiyama3
1Department of Pathology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan.
Abstract:
Polyphosphate [Poly(P)] has positive effects on osteoblast mineralization; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In addition, it is unknown whether Poly(P) promotes mineralization in soft tissues. We investigated this by using various cells. Poly(P) concentrations of 1 and 0.5 mg/mL yielded high levels of mineralization in ROS17/2.8 osteoblast cells. Similarly, Poly(P) induced mineralization in cell types expressing alkaline phosphatase (ALP), namely, ATDC5 and MC3T3-E1, but not in CHO, C3H10T1/2, C2C12, and 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, forced expression of ALP caused Poly(P)-induced mineralization in CHO cells. These results suggest that ALP determines Poly(P)-induced mineralization in a cell-type independent manner.
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