Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme found in various tissues throughout the body, with particularly high concentrations in the liver, bones, kidneys, and bile ducts. It plays a role in numerous physiological processes, including bone formation, mineralization, and the metabolism of various compounds.
Functionally, alkaline phosphatase catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphate esters in an alkaline environment, resulting in the release of inorganic phosphate. This enzyme is involved in dephosphorylation reactions, where phosphate groups are removed from molecules, often as part of metabolic pathways or signaling cascades.