Acidification of the extracellular milieu of malignant tumors is reported to increase the invasive behavior of cancer cells. In normal tissues, production of acid is catalyzed by carbonic anhydrases (CAs), some of which are known to be overexpressed in certain cancers. To investigate the functional role of CA activity in such cancer cells, we analyzed the effect of acetazolamide, a potent CA inhibitor, on the invasive capacity of four renal carcinoma cell lines (Caki-1, Caki-2, ACHN, and A-498). We found that 10 M acetazolamide inhibited the relative invasion rate of these cell lines between 18 -74%. The Caki-2 and ACHN cell lines displayed the highest responsiveness, and their responses clearly depended on the acetazolamide concentration in the culture medium. Immunocytochemical and Western blotting results identified the presence of CA isoenzyme II in the cytoplasm of all four cell lines and CA XII on the plasma membrane in three of four cell lines. Because acetazolamide alone reduced invasiveness of these cancer cells in vitro, we conclude that the CAs overexpressed in these renal cancer cells contribute to invasiveness, at least in vitro, and suggest that CA inhibitors may also reduce invasiveness in other tumors that overexpress one or more CAs.

Carbonic anhydrase isozyme XII is a recently discovered member of the

Human salivary carbonic anhydrase (HCA VI) was purified by inhibitor affinity chromatography and its location in the human parotid and submandibular glands identified, using a polyclonal antiserum raised against the purified enzyme in rabbits in conjunction with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex method. The antibodies raised against the purified enzyme in rabbits did not crossreact with the HCA II or I. However, they slightly recognized human IgA; the antiserum was therefore absorbed with human IgA before immunohistochemical use. HCA VI-specific staining was detected in the cytoplasm and particularly in the secretory granules of the serous acinar cells of both parotid and submandibular glands, the staining of the secretory granules being most distinct in paraformaldehyde-fixed tissues. Some epithelial cells and the luminal content of the striated ducts also gave a specific HCA VI staining. Staining specific for HCA II was also found in the granules of the serous acinar cells, particularly in the submandibular gland when Carnoy fluid fixation was used. Slight HCA II-specific staining was also detected in the striated ductal cells in the Carnoy fluid-fixed specimens. No staining specific for HCA I was detected. The results indicate that the serous acinar cells in human parotid and submandibular glands contain abundant HCA II and HCA VI. Interestingly, only HCA VI is secreted into the saliva, although both enzymes appear to be located in structures resembling the secretory granules in the acinar cells. The enzymes probably form a mutually complementary system regulating the salivary buffer capacity.

Although long suspected from histochemical evidence for carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity on neurons and observations that CA inhibitors enhance the extracellular alkaline shifts associated with synaptic transmission, an extracellular CA in brain had not been identified. A candidate for this CA was suggested by the recent discovery of membrane CA (CA XIV) whose mRNA is expressed in mouse and human brain and in several other tissues. For immunolocalization of CA XIV in mouse and human brain, we developed two antibodies, one against a secretory form of enzymatically active recombinant mouse CA XIV, and one against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the 24 C-terminal amino acids in the human enzyme. Immunostaining for CA XIV was found on neuronal membranes and axons in both mouse and human brain. The highest expression was seen on large neuronal bodies and axons in the anterolateral part of pons and medulla oblongata. Other CA XIV-positive sites included the hippocampus, corpus callosum, cerebellar white matter and peduncles, pyramidal tract, and choroid plexus. Mouse brain also showed a positive reaction in the molecular layer of the cerebral cortex and granular cellular layer of the cerebellum. These observations make CA XIV a likely candidate for the extracellular CA postulated to have an important role in modulating excitatory synaptic transmission in brain.