Salivary carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme VI

The carbonic anhydrases (CAs) participate in the maintenance of pH homeosta sis in various tissues and biological fluids of the human body by catalysin g the reversible reaction CO2 + H2O reversible arrow HCO3- + H+ (Davenport & Fisher, 1938; Davenport, 1939; Maren, 1967). Carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme VI (CA VI) is the only secretory isoenzyme of the mammalian CA gene family . It is exclusively expressed in the serous acinar cells of the parotid and submandibular glands, from where it is secreted into the saliva. In this r eview, we will discuss recent advances in research focused on the physiolog ical role of salivary CA VI in the oral cavity and upper alimentary canal.