β-Glycerophosphate (sodium salt hydrate)

β-Glycerophosphate (sodium salt hydrate; CAS 13408-09-8) is a biochemical agent commonly employed as a protein phosphatase inhibitor and phosphate donor in cellular research. By donating phosphate groups upon hydrolysis in cell culture, β-glycerophosphate elevates local inorganic phosphate concentrations, thereby promoting mineralization. It facilitates extracellular matrix calcification in osteoblast models (e.g., MC3T3-E1, ROS 17/2.8) without altering glycolytic activity. Additionally, β-glycerophosphate, in combination with ascorbic acid, supports bone matrix mineralization induced by bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in human bone-derived cells and accentuates calcification mediated via alkaline phosphatase activity in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.