Identification, characterization and localization of a (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-activated purine nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolase from calcifying cartilage.

A purine nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolase (unspecified diphosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.15) was chromatographically separated from the bulk of alkaline phosphatase activity by gel filtration chromatography of butanol and EDTA extracts of fracture callus and bovine epiphyseal cartilage. The callus enzyme differed from alkaline phosphatase in a variety of characteristics. The purine nucleoside triphosphate phosphatase hydrolyzed a more specific group of substrates, required Ca2+ and Mg2+ for optimal activity, remained unaffected by a potent alkaline phosphatase inhibitor, and demonstrated a narrower range of optimal pH for catalytic activity. The enzyme was localized in the microsomal pellet following subcellular fractionation of callus chondrocytes. These characteristics indicate a role for the enzyme in Ca2+ transport.