Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) is a characteristic enzyme of osteoclasts. TRAP is
involved in the degradation of solid calcium and phosphorus mineralized substrates in the bone matrix, and
its expression and secretion are closely related to osteoclast function.
In the presence of tartaric acid, the activity of anti-tartaric acid phosphatase is not inhibited, whereas
the activity of other acid phosphatases is inhibited. Under acidic conditions, antitartaric acid phosphatase
catalyzes the production of p-nitrophenol from PNPP. The p-nitrophenol appears yellow under alkaline
conditions and can be detected by absorbance at 400 nm. The darker the yellow color of the product, the
higher the anti-tartaric acid phosphatase activity, and vice versa, the lower the enzyme activity.
Reagents and Equipment Required but Not Provided:
Spectrophotometer/microplate reader, centrifuge, water bath/incubator, adjustable pipette, Micro glass
cuvettes/96 well plates, mortar/homogenizer/cell sonicator, ice and distilled water
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