17 by: Sirinada Klungtong
Student – Sirinada Klungtong
Enzyme Name: Carbonic Anhydrase
E.C. number – 4.2.1.1
Where is the enzyme found? Carbonic anhydrase is a zinc-complexed enzyme found in tissues of all animal species and photosynthesizing organisms.
Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme found in red blood cells, gastric mucosa, pancreatic cells, and renal tubules that catalyzes the interconversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbonic acid (H2CO3). It plays an important role in respiration by influencing CO2 transport in the blood. The enzyme also functions in the formation of hydrochloric acid for the stomach.
What is the function of the enzyme? Carbonic anhydrase dramatically increases the speed of the reaction. In most situations, the times required for diffusion of CO2 and bicarbonate are the rate-limiting steps. Carbon dioxide can freely diffuse across cell membranes, whereas bicarbonate must be transported. Carbonic anhydrase, therefore, has an essential role in facilitating the transport of CO2, bicarbonate, and hydrogen ions across the following cell membranes for a variety of processes:
•Erythrocytes, where carbonic anhydrase contributes to the carriage of CO2 transport from the tissues to the lungs
•Stomach, pancreas, and salivary glands, where carbonic anhydrase participates in the production of acidic and alkaline enteral secretions
•Kidneys, where carbonic anhydrase in the proximal renal tubule participates directly and indirectly in determining the concentration of hydrogen ions, bicarbonate, and other electrolytes in the urine
•Eyes, where carbonic anhydrase contributes to the formation of the aqueous humor
•Brain, where carbonic anhydrase is involved in the production of cerebrospinal fluid
Interesting Fact of the enzymes – Carbonic anhydrase enzyme is known to be one of the fastest enzymatically catalyzed biological processes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InKIj-FWL9M
References
(1) Carbonic Anhydrase – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. www.sciencedirect.com. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/carbonic-anhydrase.
(2) Carbonic Anhydrase – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. Sciencedirect.com. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/carbonic-anhydrase.
(3) Lindskog, S. Structure and Mechanism of Carbonic Anhydrase. Pharmacology & Therapeutics 1997, 74 (1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0163-7258(96)00198-2.
(4) Occhipinti, R.; Boron, W. F. Role of Carbonic Anhydrases and Inhibitors in Acid–Base Physiology: Insights from Mathematical Modeling. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2019, 20 (15), 3841. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20153841.
