CA.1bb.11

CA.1bb.11

A gene on chromosome 19q13.3 that encodes a carbonic anhydrase, a zinc metalloenzyme that catalyses the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide. Carbonic anhydrases participate in various biological processes, including respiration, calcification, maintaining acid-base balance and bone resorption, as well as producing aqueous humour, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva and gastric acid. The CA11 product is thought to be a secreted protein, but radical changes in active site residues make it unlikely that it has carbonic anhydrase activity. CA11 is highly expressed in the brain, and may play a general role in the central nervous system.