HIF-1alpha

By Jamshed Arslan Pharm.D.

Carbonic anhydrase IX is a member of the carbonic anhydrase family. This family consists of catalytic enzymes capable of converting carbon dioxide and water into carbonic acid, protons, and bicarbonate ions. This family of molecules is abundantly expressed in all mammalian tissues and helps to govern the pH in normal tissues. CAIX is very stable and found in the membrane. It is also one of the most hypoxically-inducible genes, thus establishing its application as a reliable and consistent hypoxia histochemical marker.

The protein, carbonic anhydrase IX, belongs to the carbonic anhydrase family which consists of enzymes that rapidly convert carbon dioxide and water into the end products of carbonic acid, protons, and bicarbonate ions. These enzymes play a widespread role in cells by regulating the pH of normal tissues, and are abundantly expressed in all mammalian tissues. Due to its stability and membrane location, CAIX is one of the most hypoxically-inducible genes, and has become a reliable hypoxia histochemical marker.