Abstract
Soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC; ADCY10) is a bicarbonate (HCO(3) (-))-regulated enzyme responsible for the generation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). sAC is distributed throughout the cell and within organelles and, as such, plays a role in numerous cellular signalling pathways. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) nearly instantaneously equilibrate HCO(3) (-), protons and carbon dioxide (CO(2)); because of the ubiquitous presence of CAs within cells, HCO(3) (-)-regulated sAC can respond to changes in any of these factors. Thus, sAC can function as a physiological HCO(3) (-)/CO(2)/pH sensor. Here, we outline examples where we have shown that sAC responds to changes in HCO(3) (-), CO(2) or pH to regulate diverse physiological functions.