Human Alkaline Phosphatase, Placental (ALPP) Protein

Background

Alkaline phosphatase, germ cell type (ALPP) is an enzyme that is predominantly expressed in germ cells, which are the cells that give rise to sperm and eggs. ALPP is also known as germ cell alkaline phosphatase (GCAP).GCAP is a type of alkaline phosphatase that is specifically expressed in germ cells during spermatogenesis and oogenesis. It plays a role in the development and maturation of germ cells, although its exact function in this process is not fully understood. GCAP is sometimes used as a marker for germ cell tumors. These tumors originate from germ cells and can occur in various locations in the body, including the testes, ovaries, and extragonadal sites. Elevated levels of GCAP in the blood or other bodily fluids may indicate the presence of germ cell tumors. GCAP is also used as a marker for identifying the presence of germ cells in certain tissues, such as testicular biopsies or embryonic stem cell cultures, where the presence of germ cells is of interest for research or diagnostic purposes.