Recombinant Human Carbonic Anhydrase IV Protein, CF

Carbonic Anhydrase (CA) catalyzes the reversible reaction of CO₂ + H₂O = HCO₃^- + H⁺, which is fundamental to many processes such as respiration, renal tubular acidification and bone resorption (1). Topics in a CA meeting (6^th International Conference on the CAs, June 20 - 25, 2003, Slovakia) ranged from the use of CAs as markers for tumor and hypoxia in the clinic, as a nutritional supplement in milk, and as a tool for CO₂ removal and mosquito control in industry. CA4 is a GPI‑anchored membrane enzyme expressed on the luminal surfaces of pulmonary (and certain other) capillaries and of proximal renal tubules. It functions as the principal CO₂ taste sensor (2). In addition, a genetic mutation (Arg 14 to Trp in the signal peptide) of CA4 was found to cosegregate with the RP17 form of retinitis pigmentosa in two large families and was not found in 36 unaffected family members or 100 controls (3).