Glycerol-driven TNAP activation in thermogenesis and mineralization

Authors

• Mohammed Faiz Hussain, Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
• Shreya S. Krishnan, Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
• Brittany L. Carroll, Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
• Bozena Samborska, Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
• Aisha Mousa, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
• Alice Williamson, Precision Healthcare University Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
• Clifford J. Rosen, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Scarborough, ME.Follow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-22-2026

Institution/Department

Center for Molecular Medicine

Journal Title

Nature

Abstract

Tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) promotes skeletal mineralization by hydrolysing pyrophosphate and has been linked to uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-independent adipocyte thermogenesis through the futile creatine cycle through phosphocreatine hydrolysis. Despite TNAP's broad physiological roles, endogenous regulators of its activity have not been defined. Furthermore, the activation mechanism of UCP1-independent thermogenesis has remained unresolved. Here we identify glycerol as an allosteric activator of TNAP. Glycerol binds to a surface pocket distal to the active site, which we term the glycerol pocket, to enhance TNAP activity. Using biophysical, structural, bioenergetic and physiological approaches, we show that the glycerol pocket is required for TNAP-driven thermogenesis. Through this mechanism, TNAP activates the futile creatine cycle, acting as a physiological complement to UCP1. The glycerol pocket is likewise required for optimal osteoblast-regulated mineralization. Human missense variants in this site reduce TNAP-dependent mineralization in vitro and are associated with lower alkaline phosphatase activity and bone mineral density, providing genetic evidence that its disruption impairs skeletal physiology.

Recommended Citation

Hussain, Mohammed Faiz; Krishnan, Shreya S.; Carroll, Brittany L.; Samborska, Bozena; Mousa, Aisha; Williamson, Alice; and Rosen, Clifford J., "Glycerol-driven TNAP activation in thermogenesis and mineralization" (2026). MaineHealth Maine Medical Center. 4467.
https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/mmc/4467