Resolution of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in serum by isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients.

This new method for fractionation of serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes is based on isoelectric focusing on a mixed-type polyacrylamide support containing an immobilized pH gradient with a superimposed carrier-ampholyte gradient. All known forms of alkaline phosphatase are separated in an Immobiline pH 3.5-6.0 gradient, the sample being applied into pockets cast on a pH 8.0 plateau. Sharp zymogram bands are obtained by substituting alkaline-stable 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoxyl phosphate and tetrazolium salts for the standard 1- and 2-naphthyl phosphate-diazonium salt combinations. After hydrolysis of the phosphate group by the alkaline phosphatase the indoxyl moieties reduce tetrazolium salts to nearly insoluble and nondiffusible formazan precipitates. Normal sera show an array of about 10 isobands isoelectric between pH 3.9 and pH 4.79. In Paget's disease, two sharp isobands with pls of 4.97 and 5.09 are seen. Placental alkaline phosphatase overlaps with the higher pl bands of normal serum; however, upon heat destruction of the latter, it shows four sharp bands with the following pl's: 4.59, 4.62, 4.67 and 4.73.