CA8, also known as Carbonic Anhydrase VIII, is an enzyme from the carbonic anhydrase family that catalyzes the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide into bicarbonate ions and protons. Found mainly in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of cells, CA8 plays an important role in maintaining pH balance and regulating ion transport. This enzyme is expressed in multiple tissues, including the brain, kidneys, and reproductive organs, indicating its diverse physiological functions beyond typical carbonic anhydrase activity. In the central nervous system, CA8 is especially abundant in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum.