Theme |
Physiological roles of phosphorus in nutritional science |
Title |
Phosphorus and bone metabolism |
Author |
Mayu Haraikawa |
Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Human Sciences and Design, Japan Women's University |
Author |
Masae Goseki-Sone |
Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Human Sciences and Design, Japan Women's University |
[ Summary ] |
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP, EC 3.1.3.1) hydrolyzes a variety of monophosphate esters into inorganic acids and alcohol. Human ALPs are classified into four types : tissue-non specific liver/bone/kidney (TNSALP), intestinal, placental, and germ cell types. Bone-specific ALP is one important bone formation marker. Recent studies have revealed that bone-specific ALP is indispensable for bone mineralization because it controlls concentrations of inorganic pyrophosphates, a potent calcification inhibitor. In this review, we describe the role of "ALP in phosphate metabolism" in relation to skeletal metabolism. |