Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase activity is inhibited by bisphosphonates: role of divalent cations.

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are drugs widely used in the treatment of various bone diseases. BPs localize to bone mineral, and their concentration in resorption lacunae could reach almost millimolar levels. Bone alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a membrane-bound exoenzyme that has been implicated in bone formation and mineralization.