Bicarbonate, carbon dioxide and pH sensing via mammalian bicarbonate-regulated soluble adenylyl cyclase

Soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC; ADCY10) is a bicarbonate (HCO3-)-regulated enzyme responsible for the generation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). sAC is distributed throughout the cell and within organelles and, as such, plays a role in numerous cellular signalling pathways. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) nearly instantaneously equilibrate HCO3-, protons and carbon dioxide (CO2); because of the ubiquitous presence of CAs within cells, HCO3--regulated sAC can respond to changes in any of these factors. Thus, sAC can function as a physiological HCO3-/CO2/pH sensor. Here, we outline examples where we have shown that sAC responds to changes in HCO3-, CO2 or pH to regulate diverse physiological functions.

Automated summary

Soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) is a bicarbonate-regulated enzyme that acts as a sensor for HCO3-/CO2/pH, regulating diverse physiological functions.