Mammalian-like Purple Acid Phosphatases in Plants

Purple acid phosphatases(PAPs) comprise of a family of binuclear metal-containing hydrolases, some members of which have been isolated and characterized from animal, plant and fungal sources [1]. PAPs not only catalyze the hydrolyses of a wide range of phosphate esters and anhydrides under acidic reaction conditions, but also catalyze the generation of hydroxyl radicals in a Fenton-like reaction, by virtue of the presence of a redox-active binuclear metal center. Inmammals, the hydroxyl radicals so generated may be important for the degradation of connective tissue(in osteoclasts) and the defense against bacteria(in macrophages). Mammalian PAPs from several species have been isolated and characterized [1].