Carbonic anhydrase 6 (CA6)

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Carbonic anhydrase VI (CA VI) belongs to a group of zinc containing enzymes called, you guessed it… carbonic anhydrases. Found in virtually all living organisms and ubiquitous throughout human tissues, carbonic anhydrases catalyze the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate.

CA VI, the only known secretory form of carbonic anhydrase, is secreted into saliva as well as milk. It plays a role in the development of taste buds and aids in the prevention of dental carries. Autoantibodies to CA VI (alongside several other autoantibodies) are associated with Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease characterized by dry mouth and dry eyes.