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Activation of serum 5' nucleotidase by magnesium ions and its diagnostic applications
Abstract:
Magnesium ions increase the hydrolysis of adenosine 5' monophosphate (5' AMP) by human serum at pH 7.9 but not at pH 9.3. The additional hydrolysis at pH 7.9 is predominantly due to increased activity of the specific phosphatase 5' nucleotidase (5Nase). This increase is proportional to enzyme concentration and has been employed as a measure of 5Nase activity in a sensitive micro-estimation. The normal range for serum 5Nase activity by this technique was 0 to 20 mIU/ml. In a series of over 200 patients, raised values were found frequently in hepatobiliary disease and infrequently in bone disease. Assay of 5Nase activity gave a more reliable indication of the source of raised serum alkaline phosphatase than isoenzyme electrophoresis in agar gel. The correlation between activities of the two enzymes was low in bone disease generally, and fairly good in hepatobiliary disease. The closest correlation was found in patients with parenchymal liver disease.
Insights
Magnesium enhances 5
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Enzymology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Adenosine 5' monophosphate (5' AMP) hydrolysis is influenced by magnesium ions.
- Human serum contains specific phosphatases, including 5' nucleotidase (5Nase).
- Serum enzyme activity can serve as a biomarker for various diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of magnesium ions on 5' AMP hydrolysis in human serum.
- To characterize the role of 5' nucleotidase (5Nase) in this process.
- To establish a micro-estimation method for serum 5Nase activity and evaluate its clinical utility.
Main Methods:
- Assay of 5' AMP hydrolysis in human serum at different pH levels (7.9 and 9.3) with and without magnesium ions.
- Quantification of 5' nucleotidase (5Nase) activity using a sensitive micro-estimation technique.
- Comparison of 5Nase activity with serum alkaline phosphatase levels and isoenzyme electrophoresis in patient cohorts.
Main Results:
- Magnesium ions significantly increased 5' AMP hydrolysis at pH 7.9, primarily due to enhanced 5Nase activity.
- A normal range for serum 5Nase activity was established as 0 to 20 mIU/ml.
- Elevated 5Nase levels were frequently observed in hepatobiliary diseases and infrequently in bone diseases.
- Serum 5Nase assay provided a more reliable indicator of the source of elevated alkaline phosphatase than isoenzyme electrophoresis, especially in hepatobiliary and parenchymal liver diseases.
Conclusions:
- Magnesium-dependent 5' nucleotidase activity in serum can be reliably measured using a micro-estimation technique.
- Serum 5Nase activity is a valuable biomarker, particularly for diagnosing hepatobiliary diseases.
- 5Nase assay offers superior diagnostic information compared to alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in certain clinical contexts.