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Significance Biological calcifying systems are capable of generating a versatile construction material from metabolic CO2. Here, the transformation of CO2 to HCO3− is of critical importance, with very limited information… Click to show full abstract
Significance Biological calcifying systems are capable of generating a versatile construction material from metabolic CO2. Here, the transformation of CO2 to HCO3− is of critical importance, with very limited information about the underlying mechanisms. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are evolutionary ancient enzymes that catalyze the reversible hydration of CO2 and have often been associated with calcifying tissues. Using the calcifying cells of the sea urchin larva as a model system, the present work uncovered a cellular carbon concentration mechanism that depends on the presence of an extracellular CA (Cara7). Molecular, cell physiological, and histological evidence support this conclusion and highlight the elegance of biomineralizing systems in using carbon resources in the most sustainable manner.
Journal Title: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Year Published: 2022
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