Carbonic anhydrase III: A neglected isozyme is stepping into the limelight

Context: Carbonic anhydrase III (CA III) is a cytosolic enzyme which is known to be highly expressed in the skeletal muscle and has been recently linked to important roles in several physiological processes. Objective: This review is focused on properties of CA III, including its distribution, function, structure and modulation of enzymatic activity by activators or inhibitors. We also provide some novel data on its expression in murine tissues. Methods: In this article, the most relevant literature on CA III has been covered. New information on the distribution has been obtained by immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. Results and conclusion: CA III shows the highest expression in the skeletal muscle and liver. Several other tissues contain lower levels of the enzyme. Activation or inhibition of CA III may offer a novel opportunity to treat some of the diseases linked to the defective expression or function of this enzyme.