Research interests

Research on Carbonic Anhydrases

Our current studies are aimed to:

• Produce high amounts of recombinant alpha and beta carbonic anhydrases (CAs) and carbonic anhydrase-related proteins (CARPs) for kinetic and structural studies.
• Study the role of CARPs in tissues.
• Continue our studies on tumor-associated CA isozymes, CA II, CA VII, CA IX and CA XII.

Tissue Biology Group 2011   

Carbonic anhydrases are enzymes that catalyze the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide according to the following reaction: CO2 + H2O ↔ HCO3- + H+. The main function of this protein family is to regulate the acid-base balance, which is of considerable biological importance. In addition, they participate in several other physiological functions including CO2 and HCO3- transport, bone resorption, production of biological fluids, ureagenesis, gluconeogenesis, and lipogenesis. CAs are metalloenzymes containing a zinc-atom in their active site, whereas CARPs do not bind zinc because they lack some of the critical histidine residues which are critical for zinc binding.

The expanding alpha CA gene family includes 13 enzymatically active members with different structural and catalytic properties. The active isozymes and their subcellular localizations are listed in the Table below. Each isoform has a characteristic distribution in tissues.

We have previously shown that CA II, VII, IX and XII are expressed in various malignant tissues. Based on the distribution and functional studies, they may play a role in neoplastic processes such as invasion and increased cell proliferation. We have also demonstrated that Car9 defect in mouse results in a gastric phenotype with significant hyperplasia in the gastric epithelium. More recently, we have produced a novel knockout mouse model for CA VI deficiency. CA VI is the only secrotory CA isozyme and may be involved in several functions of the upper alimentary tract.

Table. Carbonic anhydrases and their subcellular localization

We are participating the European DeZnIT research consortium.