A fetal intestinal-type alkaline phosphatase produced in Caco-2 cells.

Enzymic, immunological and lectin-binding properties of alkaline phosphatase (AP) produced in Caco-2 cells, a human colon carcinoma cell line, were investigated. The enzyme was very similar to fetal intestinal (meconium) AP in the enzymic and immunological properties, but different from fetal intestinal AP in lectin-binding properties; expression of the galactose moiety was altered in AP of Caco-2 cells, compared to that of fetal intestinal AP. These results indicate that AP of Caco-2 cells can be used in place of fetal intestinal AP when the enzymic properties of an AP of unknown origin are investigated, but cannot be used instead of fetal intestinal AP in the structural study of AP.