Why bicarbonate?This paper is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue, entitled CSBMCB — Membrane Proteins in Health and Disease.

Abstract

Bicarbonate is a simple single carbon molecule that plays surprisingly important roles in diverse biological processes. Among these are photosynthesis, the Krebs cycle, whole-body and cellular pH regulation, and volume regulation. Since bicarbonate is charged it is not permeable to lipid bilayers. Mammalian membranes thus contain bicarbonate transport proteins to facilitate the specific transmembrane movement of HCO3–. This review provides a wide-ranging view of the biochemistry of bicarbonate and its membrane transporters, revealing what makes the study of bicarbonate transport such a rewarding activity.