Carbonic anhydrase IX and XII
Katia D'Ambrosio1, Emma Langella1, Simona Maria Monti1
1Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, Napoli, Italy.
The Enzymes
|July 22, 2026
Summary
Membrane-associated carbonic anhydrases (CAs) IX and XII are crucial in cancer, aiding tumor adaptation to acidic environments. Targeting these enzymes offers promising therapeutic strategies for oncology.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Membrane-associated carbonic anhydrases (CAs) IX and XII are significantly expressed in various human malignancies.
- These enzymes play critical roles in cancer biology, particularly in tumor adaptation to acidic microenvironments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review the functional and structural properties of human carbonic anhydrases IX and XII.
- To explore recent advancements in targeted intervention strategies against CA IX and CA XII in oncology.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on the functional, structural, and regulatory mechanisms of human CA IX and XII.
- Analysis of current targeted intervention strategies and promising therapeutic approaches.
Main Results:
- CA IX and CA XII exhibit distinct catalytic efficiencies and diverse dimeric structural arrangements.
- CA IX expression is mainly regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1, while CA XII has a complex expression profile modulated by hypoxia and estrogen receptor signaling.
- Both enzymes contribute to tumor cell adaptation to acidic conditions and promote cancer progression.
Conclusions:
- CA IX and CA XII are attractive therapeutic targets in modern oncology due to their roles in cancer progression.
- Targeted intervention strategies against these carbonic anhydrases show promise for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Cancer biologyDiagnostic toolsMonoclonal antibodiesSmall molecule inhibitorsTumor-associated carbonic anhydrasesMore Related Videos
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