Phosphatase was isolated from cells of the hyperthermophilic marine archaeon Thermococcus pacificus by a procedure including chromatography on Butyl-Fractogel TSK-650 and Ni(2+)-iminodiacetic-agarose. Enzyme activity is maximal at 90 degrees C, and the enzyme half-life time at this temperature is 1 h. The pH optimum of phosphatase activity is 6.0. Electrophoresis under denaturating conditions yielded a subunit molecular weight of 45 kDa. On gel-filtration on Sephacryl S-300 HR three peak corresponding to 295, 85 and 45 kDa were observed, suggesting that the enzyme is a homohexamer.