CA4
Function
Catalyzes the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide into bicarbonate and protons and thus is essential to maintaining intracellular and extracellular pH (PubMed:15563508, PubMed:16686544, PubMed:16807956, PubMed:17127057, PubMed:17314045, PubMed:17652713, PubMed:17705204, PubMed:18618712, PubMed:19186056, PubMed:19206230, PubMed:7625839). May stimulate the sodium/bicarbonate transporter activity of SLC4A4 that acts in pH homeostasis (PubMed:15563508). It is essential for acid overload removal from the retina and retina epithelium, and acid release in the choriocapillaris in the choroid (PubMed:15563508).
Involvement in disease
Retinitis pigmentosa 17
RP17
A retinal dystrophy belonging to the group of pigmentary retinopathies. Retinitis pigmentosa is characterized by retinal pigment deposits visible on fundus examination and primary loss of rod photoreceptor cells followed by secondary loss of cone photoreceptors. Patients typically have night vision blindness and loss of midperipheral visual field. As their condition progresses, they lose their far peripheral visual field and eventually central vision as well.
None
The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Defective acid overload removal from retina and retinal epithelium, due to mutant CA4, is responsible for photoreceptor degeneration, indicating that impaired pH homeostasis is the most likely cause underlying the RP17 phenotype.
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the alpha-carbonic anhydrase family.
Tissue Specificity
Expressed in the endothelium of the choriocapillaris in eyes (at protein level). Not expressed in the retinal epithelium at detectable levels.
Cellular localization
- Cell membrane
- Lipid-anchor
- GPI-anchor
Alternative names
Carbonic anhydrase 4, Carbonate dehydratase IV, Carbonic anhydrase IV, CA-IV, CA4