Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is a seemingly ubiquitous enzyme, of profound physiological importance, which plays essential roles in respiration, acid-base homeostasis, bone resorption, calcification, photosynthesis, several biosynthetic pathways and a variety of processes involving ion, gas and fluid transfer. This volume provides a comprehensive, up-to-date account of all aspects of this fascinating enzyme...

Inhalt
Exordium: Remarks on the discovery of carbonic anhydrase.- to the carbonic anhydrases.- Evolution and distribution of the carbonic anhydrase gene families.- An overview of the distribution and function of carbonic anhydrase isozymes in mammals.- The membrane carbonic anhydrases: from CO2transport to tumour markers.- Carbonic anhydrase (CA)-related proteins (CA-RPs), and transmembrane proteins with CA or CA-RP domains.- Regulation of the CA 1, CA 2 and CA 3 genes.- Use of carbonic anhydrase II-deficient mice in uncovering the cellular location of membrane-associated isoforms.- X-ray crystallographic studies of mammalian carbonic anhydrase isozymes.- The catalytic mechanism of mammalian carbonic anhydrases.- Activation of carbonic anhydrase isozymes.- Active-site engineering of carbonic anhydrase and its application to biosensors.- Folding and stability of human carbonic anhydrase II.- Membrane transport and provision of substrates for carbonic anhydrase in vertebrates.- Respiratory and renal roles of carbonic anhydrase in gas exchange and acid-base regulation.- The roles of carbonic anhydrase in metabolism, cell growth and cancer in animals.- The roles of carbonic anhydrase in gustation, olefaction and chemical irritation.- Carbonic anhydrases in striated muscle.- Inherited deficiencies and activity variants of the mammalian carbonic anhydrases.- Carbonic anhydrase inhibition in ophthalmology: Carbonic anhydrase in cornea, lens, retina and lacrimal gland.- Carbonic anhydrase inhibition in ophthalmology: Aqueous humour secretion and development of sulphonamide inhibitors.- The design of new carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.- Roles of carbonic anhydrases in the alimentary tract.- Carbonic anhydrases in the nervous system.- Carbonic anhydrases in calcified tissues.- Carbonic anhydrases of higher plants: an overview.- Plant carbonic anhydrases: structure and mechanism.- Algal carbonic anhydrase.- Bacterial carbonic anhydrases.- Keeping pace with a fast enzyme: steps and missteps.- Carbonic anhydrase research: A clinical perspective, past and future.