Enzymatic and immunological activity of 4000 years aged bone alkaline phosphatase

Structurally intact and functionally active human bone alkaline phosphatase was isolated from clavicle fragments of IDU, an Egyptian mummy of the Old Kingdom (2150 +/- 50 BC). Both anion exchange and affinity chromatographies were employed to optimise the preparation of the ancient enzyme resulting in a specific activity of 180 +/- 30 mU/mg. The intactness of the bone enzyme fractions of the wheat-germ lectin affinity chromatography was successfully demonstrated in an ELISA using the monoclonal antibody BAP A. Fortunately, the mummified bone was not contaminated by fungi or bacteria.