Bone Abstracts

Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) consists of two isoforms TRAP 5a and TRAP 5b suggested to exert different functions and clinical relevance. TRAP 5a is a 35 kDa monomer and a potential marker of inflammatory conditions e.g. atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. TRAP 5b, a heterodimer of 16 and 23 kDa generated by proteolytic cleavage of a repressive loop in TRAP 5a, is used as marker for osteoclast numbers/bone resorption and osteoclast-related pathological condi...