Fungal Carbonic Anhydrases: A Systematic Review from Molecular Profiling to Pathogenic Regulation in Magnaporthe oryzae

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are a class of zinc-containing metalloenzymes widely present in the biological world, catalyzing the reversible hydration of CO2 to form HCO3− and H+. These enzymes play essential roles in pH homeostasis, gas exchange, metabolic regulation, and virulence expression in pathogens. In fungi, CAs mainly belong to the α- and β-classes and have undergone extensive diversification during evolution. In plant pathogenic fungi, the functions of CAs have extended beyond traditional metabolic roles, evolving into key “environmental adaptation and virulence regulatory factors.” This review takes Magnaporthe oryzae as a model organism and integrates recent advances in CA research across various microorganisms. It systematically summarizes the classification diversity, structural features, subcellular localization, and biological functions of fungal CAs. Particular emphasis is placed on the molecular profile, mitochondrial localization, physical interaction network, and multiple functional roles of the MoCA family members in conidial development, appressorium formation, oxidative stress response, HCO3− homeostasis, nitrogen metabolism, and mitochondrial energy metabolism. Based on these findings, this study proposes a multi-layered analytical framework integrating CA molecular characteristics, mitochondrial functional regulation, and fungal pathogenicity. It explores the potential of targeting fungal CAs for the development of novel selective fungicides and highlights key research directions, aiming to provide theoretical insights into plant-fungal interactions and innovative strategies for disease control.