Biochemical and electrophoretic properties of acid phosphatase isozymes and their distribution in cell functions from...

The various acid phosphatase isozymes can be distinguished on the basis of their biochemical properties or their net electrical charge. Four main groups of isozymes hydrolyze beta-glycerophosphate: the fastest-moving form seemed to be related to the cancerous state. The quantity of enzyme, either in the whole homogenate or in cytoplasmic fractions was not a useful criteria for cancer, however, while the distribution of acid phosphatase in subcellular structures was characteristic in cancer cases. Cell fractions were obtained by differential centrifugation, but were contaminated with prostatic secretions.