ACP5: Its Structure, Distribution, Regulation and Novel Functions

Background: Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5 (ACP5) is an evolutionarily conserved and multifunctional protein that is involved in generations of reactive oxygen species, normal bone development, osteoblast regulation and macrophage function, affecting a series of pathways, as well as reflecting bone resorption and osteoclast activity. Methods: Literature searches, systematic reviews and assessments about the structure, distribution, regulation and novel functions of ACP5 were performed in this review from PubMed and Medline databases. Results: Studies demonstrate that RANKL can increase the expression of ACP5 through NFATc1 and c-Fos to accelerate osteoclastogenesis, which also can be regulated by many regulators. Based on the aforementioned information, it is shown that ACP5, together with the phosphatase activity, can medicate the progression and development of human genetic diseases and cancer. Conclusion: As a novel target, ACP5 plays a critical role in preventing, monitoring and treating various kinds of tumors, as well as accelerating the development of a promising therapeutic strategy for human genetic diseases. However, the explicit mechanism between ACP5 and cancer is not so clear. It is necessary and significant for us to pay more in-depth attention.