ALPHA-CARBONIC ANHYDRASES

alpha-CA enzymes have been found in many living species, such as vertebrates, bacteria and green plants. The comparison of the biochemical and structural features of enzymes isolated from diverse sources reveals a substantial similarity, although small changes are present which reflect the different role that alpha-CAs play in the various organisms. In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive overview of the literature data existing on these enzymes, highlighting their potential biomedical and biotechnological applications.