Sensing, physiological effects and molecular response to elevated CO2 levels in eukaryotes.

Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) is an important gaseous molecule that maintains biosphere homeostasis and is an important cellular signalling molecule in all organisms. The transport of CO(2) through membranes has fundamental roles in most basic aspects of life in both plants and animals. There is a growing interest in understanding how CO(2) is transported into cells, how it is sensed by neurons and other cell types and in understanding the physiological and molecular consequences of elevated CO(2) levels (hypercapnia) at the cell and organism levels. Human pulmonary diseases and model organisms such as fungi, C. elegans, Drosophila and mice have been proven to be important in understanding of the mechanisms of CO(2) sensing and response.