Identification of carbonic anhydrase in chick growth-plate cartilage.

Carbonic anhydrase has been localized by immunocytochemistry in the cells and territorial matrix of the hypertrophic and calcifying zones of chick growth-plate cartilage. Adjacent epiphyseal and articular cartilage were not stained. By biochemical assay the activity levels were 61.3, 1.8, 34.7, and 703.3 units/g wet weight for growth plate, epiphyseal/articular cartilage, spongiosa, and blood, respectively. The role of the enzyme in growth plate is discussed.