What is carbonic anhydrase?
Carbonic anhydrase is a protein that helps regulate the acid-base balance and pH in blood and other animal tissues. It is primarily known for its role in transforming carbon dioxide to bicarbonate to be transported to the lungs. This protein is present in most organisms, from bacteria to plants. It is also of pharmaceutical interest, with several drugs being inhibitors of its activity. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced from aerobic respiration and the breakdown of fats. It is removed from the body by exhalation from the lungs. The carbon dioxide produced throughout the body needs to be transported through the blood to get to the lungs. It is transported in several forms, primarily as bicarbonate, HCO3-. Bicarbonate is CO2- with an OH group attached. When the bicarbonate reaches the lungs, it is transformed back to carbon dioxide, so it can be exhaled from the body.
