Carbonic anhydrases are characterized by their ability to catalyze the conversion of carbon dioxide and water to bicarbonate and protons:
This reaction is crucial for maintaining acid-base balance in tissues and organs .
CA1 is a cytosolic enzyme predominantly found in erythrocytes (red blood cells) and is an early marker for erythroid differentiation . It plays a significant role in the transport of carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs and in the regulation of pH within cells .
Recombinant human CA1 is produced using Escherichia coli (E. coli) expression systems. The recombinant protein typically includes a C-terminal His-tag to facilitate purification . The production process involves cloning the human CA1 gene into an expression vector, transforming E. coli cells with this vector, and inducing protein expression. The recombinant protein is then purified using affinity chromatography techniques .
Recombinant CA1 is used in various research and clinical applications, including: