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Alkaline phosphatase, placental type is a membrane-bound glycosylated dimeric enzyme, also referred to as the heat-stable form, that is expressed primarily in the placenta, although it is closely related to the intestinal form of the enzyme as well as to the placental-like form.
There are at least four distinct but related alkaline phosphatases: intestinal, placental, placental-like, and liver/bone/kidney (tissue non-specific).The product of this gene is a membrane bound glycosylated enzyme, localized to testis, thymus and certain germ cell tumors, that is closely related to both the placental and intestinal forms of alkaline phosphatase.
Blood levels of alkaline phosphatase also increase by two to four times during pregnancy. This is a result of additional alkaline phosphatase produced by the placenta and the liver. [3] [4] Additionally, abnormal levels of alkaline phosphatase in the blood could indicate issues relating to the liver, gall bladder or bones.
The major function of alkaline phosphatase is transporting chemicals across cell membranes. [1] Alkaline phosphatases are present in many human tissues, including bone, intestine, kidney, liver, placenta and white blood cells. [2] Damage to these tissues causes the release of ALP into the bloodstream.
There are at least four distinct but related alkaline phosphatases: intestinal, placental, placental-like, and liver/bone/kidney (tissue-nonspecific).The first three are located together on chromosome 2, whereas the tissue-nonspecific form is located on chromosome 1.
Ultrasound image of a seminoma. Blood tests may detect the presence of placental alkaline phosphatase (ALP, ALKP, ALPase, Alk Phos) in fifty percent of cases. However, Alk Phos cannot usefully stand alone as a marker for seminoma and contributes little to follow-up, due to its rise with smoking. [7]
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Alkaline phosphatase is often elevated in pregnancy due to production from the placenta, but may be additionally elevated. [4] Other abnormalities may include an elevated white blood cell count, hypoglycemia, elevated coagulation parameters, including the international normalized ratio, and decreased fibrinogen.