page_title: Carbonic anhydrase
section_title: Families
hierarchical_section_title: Carbonic anhydrase / Families
caption_attribution_description: Ribbon diagram of human carbonic anhydrase II. Zinc ion visible at center. Created using PyMOL (http://www.pymol.org) and GIMP.
context_page_description: The carbonic anhydrases form a family of enzymes that catalyze the interconversion between carbon dioxide and water and the dissociated ions of carbonic acid. The active site of most carbonic anhydrases contains a zinc ion. They are therefore classified as metalloenzymes. The enzyme maintains acid-base balance and helps transport carbon dioxide.
  Carbonic anhydrase helps regulate pH and fluid balance. Depending on its location, the role of the enzyme changes slightly. For example, carbonic anhydrase produces acid in the stomach lining. In the kidney, the control of bicarbonate ions influences the water content of the cell. The control of bicarbonate ions also influences the water content in the eyes. Inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase are used to treat glaucoma, the excessive build up of water in the eyes. Blocking this enzyme shifts the fluid balance in the eyes of the patient to reduce fluid build up thereby relieving pressure.
  The Bohr Effect is a way to describe hemoglobin's oxygen binding affinity.
context_section_description: Carbonic anhydrase was initially found in the red blood cells of cows.
  At least five distinct CA families are recognized: α, β, γ, δ and ζ. These families have no significant amino acid sequence similarity and in most cases are thought to be an example of convergent evolution. The α-CAs are found in humans.
caption: Ribbon diagram of human carbonic anhydrase II. Active site zinc ion visible at center. From PDB: 1CA2​.
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