Enhancing effect of surfactant and protein on hydrolysis of thymolphthalein monophosphate by purified prostatic acid phosphatase.

Purified prostatic acid phosphatase catalyzes the hydrolysis of thymolphthalein monophosphate 10-fold faster if an optimal concentration of Brij 35 (a wetting agent) or protein (bovine serum albumin or human serum proteins) is present. Results of gel filtration, dialysis, and sucrose density-gradient centrifugation analysis suggest that the substrate must combine with detergent or protein before the enzyme can catalyze its hydrolysis.