Physiological Roles of Acid-Base Sensors

• Published in: Annual review of physiology Vol. 77; no. 1; pp. 347 - 362
• Main Authors: Levin, Lonny R, Buck, Jochen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Annual Reviews 01.01.2015; Annual Reviews, Inc
• Subjects: Acid Sensing Ion Channels - physiology; Acid-Base Equilibrium - physiology; Acid-Base Imbalance - physiopathology; acid-sensing ion channels; Adenylyl Cyclases; Anatomy & physiology; Animals; bicarbonate; Bicarbonates; Carbon Dioxide; Cells; Enzymes; Homeostasis; Homeostasis - physiology; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Organisms; pH sensing; proton-sensing GPCRs; Protons; Sensors; soluble adenylyl cyclase; pH sensing; proton-sensing GPCRs; bicarbonate; acid-sensing ion channels; soluble adenylyl cyclase
• ISSN: 0066-4278; 1545-1585
• DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-021014-071821

Acid-base homeostasis is essential for life. The macromolecules upon which living organisms depend are sensitive to pH changes, and physiological systems use the equilibrium between carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and protons to buffer their pH. Biological processes and environmental insults are constantly challenging an organism's pH; therefore, to maintain a consistent and proper pH, organisms need sensors that measure pH and that elicit appropriate responses. Mammals use multiple sensors for measuring both intracellular and extracellular pH, and although some mammalian pH sensors directly measure protons, it has recently become apparent that many pH-sensing systems measure pH via bicarbonate-sensing soluble adenylyl cyclase.