ζ-Carbonic anhydrases

Abstract Among the seven different classes of carbonic anhydrases (CAs), the ζ-class represents a very interesting one due to the biochemical peculiarity of CDCA1, which is the most investigated representative. In fact, CDCA1 is a cambialistic enzyme being able to naturally exchange Zn(II) with Cd(II) and vice versa, within its catalytic site. This exchange allows diatoms, in which CDCA1 is expressed, to survive in the marine environment where short ion availability may occur. Here, the latest results concerning CDCA1 are presented together with the latest data obtained from inhibition and activation studies.