Carbonic anhydrase 2 (CA2) is a zinc-containing metalloenzyme that belongs to the carbonic anhydrase family and plays a crucial role in catalyzing the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide (CO鈧? to bicarbonate (HCO鈧冣伝) and protons (H鈦?. This reaction is essential for maintaining pH homeostasis, electrolyte balance, and CO鈧?transport in various tissues, including the kidneys, red blood cells, and the central nervous system. CA2 is one of the most efficient enzymes, with a catalytic rate approaching diffusion limits, and its activity is critical for physiological processes such as respiration, bone resorption, renal acid secretion, and cerebrospinal fluid production. Mutations in the CA2 gene can lead to osteopetrosis with renal tubular acidosis and cerebral calcification, highlighting its importance in bone remodeling and acid-base regulation. Additionally, CA2 is implicated in pathological conditions, including cancer, glaucoma, and epilepsy, making it a potential therapeutic target for inhibitors like acetazolamide. Its structure consists of a conserved 伪-carbonic anhydrase fold with a zinc ion coordinated by three histidine residues in the active site, enabling rapid proton transfer via a water-mediated mechanism.
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