CA14 Human

Carbonic anhydrase XIV (CA XIV) is a member of the carbonic anhydrase family, a group of zinc metalloenzymes that catalyze the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide. This enzyme plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, including respiration, renal tubular acidification, and bone resorption .

CA XIV is a type I membrane protein, meaning it is anchored to the cell membrane. It shares the highest sequence similarity with another transmembrane CA isoform, CA XII . The enzyme consists of 286 amino acids and has a calculated molecular mass of 32.3 kDa. Due to glycosylation, the recombinant protein migrates as an approximately 45-48 kDa protein in SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions .

The primary function of CA XIV is to catalyze the reversible reaction:

$$\text{CO}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \leftrightarrow \text{HCO}_3^- + \text{H}^+$$

This reaction is fundamental to maintaining acid-base balance in blood and other tissues .

CA XIV is expressed in various tissues, including the brain, kidney, and liver. Its expression is regulated by several factors, including pH and the presence of bicarbonate ions .

Recombinant human CA XIV is produced using DNA sequences encoding the extracellular domain of the enzyme. This sequence is expressed in host cells, such as HEK293 cells, with a C-terminal polyhistidine tag for purification purposes . The recombinant protein is typically lyophilized from sterile PBS and can be reconstituted for use in various biochemical assays .

Recombinant CA XIV is used in research to study its role in physiological processes and its potential as a therapeutic target. It is also utilized in drug screening assays to identify inhibitors that could be used to treat conditions like glaucoma, epilepsy, and certain cancers .