pH modulation

pH modulation refers to the physiological and biochemical processes that maintain and adjust the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in biological environments. These processes are fundamental for cellular viability, enzymatic activity, neurotransmission, metabolic balance, and organ function. pH homeostasis involves multiple cellular elements including ion exchangers (e.g., sodium-hydrogen exchanger, SLC9A1/NHE1), ion channels (e.g., voltage-gated H⁺ channels), membrane pumps (e.g., vacuolar H⁺-ATPase), enzymes (notably carbonic anhydrases), and buffer systems (bicarbonate, phosphate, protein buffers). Disruption of pH modulation contributes to disease pathogenesis including cancer, brain injury, chronic inflammation, and renal or respiratory dysfunction.

Other names

pH regulationacid-base balancepH homeostasisacid-base regulation