Multifunctionality of alkaline phosphatase in ecology and biotechnology.

Multifunctional enzymes can significantly impact biotechnological applications by performing activities beyond their primary functions. This review explores the role of the multifunctionality of alkaline phosphatase, a key enzyme in the phosphorus cycle, focusing on the molecular mechanisms influencing its activity and its biotechnological potential. We argue that understanding these aspects can enhance the utility of alkaline phosphatase in research and industry, fostering innovations in enzyme engineering, environmental biotechnology, and metabolic engineering.

Enzyme promiscuity in natural environments: alkaline phosphatase in the ocean.

Alkaline phosphatase (APase) is one of the marine enzymes used by oceanic microbes to obtain inorganic phosphorus (P) from dissolved organic phosphorus to overcome P-limitation. Marine APase is generally recognized to perform P-monoesterase activity. Here we integrated a biochemical characterization of a specific APase enzyme, examination of global ocean databases, and field measurements, to study the type and relevance of marine APase promiscuity.