Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Inhibition studies of a coral secretory isoform with inorganic anions

The inhibition of a coral carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) has been investigated with a series of inorganic anions such as halogenides, pseudohalogenides, bicarbonate, carbonate, nitrate, nitrite, hydrogen sulfide, bisulfite, perchlorate, sulfate. The full-length scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata CA, STPCA, has a significant catalytic activity for the physiological reaction of CO₂ hydration to bicarbonate, similarly to the ubiquitous human isoforms hCA I (cytosolic) and hCA VI (secreted). The best STPCA anion inhibitors were bromide, iodide, carbonate, and sulfamate, with inhibition constants of 9.0–10.0 μM.     

Inhibition of the R1 fragment of the cadmium-containing ζ-class carbonic anhydrase from the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii with anions

We investigated the catalytic activity and inhibition of both the zinc and cadmium-containing R1 fragment of the ζ-class carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) from the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii. Our data prove that these enzymes are not only very efficient catalysts for the physiological reaction, but also sensitive to sulfonamide and anion inhibitors, with inhibition constants from the nanomolar to millimolar range. Acetazolamide inhibited the two enzymes with K_Is in the range of 58–92 nM. The best anion inhibitors of Cd-R1 were thiocyanate, sulfamate and sulfamide, with K_Is of 10–89 μM, whereas the best Zn-R1 anion inhibitors were sulfamate and sulfamide with K_Is of 60–72 μM. These enzymes were only weakly inhibited by chloride, bromide or sulfate, main anion components of sea water, with inhibition constants in the range of 0.24–0.85 mM. Thus, similarly to CAs belonging to other classes, the ζ-class CA (with either cadmium or zinc ions at the active site) was inhibited by both anions and sulfonamides.     

Inhibition of the β-carbonic anhydrase from Streptococcus pneumoniae by inorganic anions and small molecules: Toward innovative drug design of antiinfectives?

The Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae is a human respiratory tract pathogen that contributes significantly to global mortality and morbidity. It was recently shown that this bacterial pathogen depends on a conserved ??-carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) for in vitro growth in environmental ambient air and during intracellular survival in host cells. Hence, it is to be expected that this pneumococcal carbonic anhydrase (PCA) contributes to transmission and pathogenesis of the bacterium, making it a potential therapeutic target. In this study, purified recombinant PCA has been further characterized kinetically and for inhibition with a series of inorganic anions and small molecules useful as leads. PCA has appreciable activity as catalyst for the hydration of CO₂ to bicarbonate, with a k_cat of 7.4 × 10⁵ s⁻¹ and k_cat/K_m of 6.5 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at an optimum pH of 8.4. Inorganic anions such as chloride, bromide, iodide, cyanate, selenocyanate, trithiocarbonate, and cyanide were effective inhibitors of PCA (K_Is of 21-98 ??M). Sulfamide, sulfamic acid, phenylboronic, phenylarsonic acid, and diethyldithiocarbamate showed inhibition constants in the low micromolar/submicromolar range (K_Is of 0.61-6.68 ??M), whereas that of the sulfonamide acetazolamide was in the nanomolar range (K_Is 89 nM). In conclusion, our results show that PCA can effectively be inhibited by a range of molecules that could be interesting leads for obtaining more potent PCA inhibitors. PCA might be a novel target for designing antimicrobial drugs with a new mechanism of action.     

Restoring catalytic activity to the human carbonic anhydrase (CA) related proteins VIII,X and XI affords isoforms with high catalytic efficiency and susceptibility to anion inhibition

Mutation of amino acid residues 94, 96 and 119 to histidine(s) in the human carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) related proteins CARP VIII, X and XI restored the zinc binding and catalytic activity for the hydration of CO₂ to bicarbonate. CA VIII, X and XI thus obtained showed high catalytic activity (67.3–92.0% of the activity of hCA II and much higher compared to hCA I) and were inhibited in the milli-micromolar range by inorganic anions, sulfamide, sulfamic acid, phenylboronic acid and phenylarsonic acid. Among the three new isoforms, hCA X was the most efficient enzyme and also showed the highest affinity for anion inhibitors (K_Is of 3.6–68 μM for phenylboronic acid, sufamic acid, sulfamide, cyanide and azide). hCA VIII was poorly inhibited by halides, cyanate, nitrate and sulfate (K_Is of 38.4–65.4 mM), whereas CA XI had a behavior intermediate between that of hCA VIII and X, both regarding the catalytic activity and sensitivity to anion inhibitors.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Inhibition studies of a coral secretory isoform by sulfonamides

The inhibition of a newly cloned coral carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) has been investigated with a series of sulfonamides, including some clinically used derivatives (acetazolamide, methazolamide, ethoxzolamide, dichlorophenamide, dorzolamide, brinzolamide, benzolamide, and sulpiride, or indisulam, a compound in clinical development as antitumor drug), as well as the sulfamate antiepileptic topiramate. Some simple amino-/hydrazine-/hydroxy-substituted aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamides have also been included in the study. All types of activity have been detected, with low potency inhibitors (K_Is in the range of 163–770 nM), or with medium potency inhibitors (K_Is in the range of 75.1–105 nM), whereas ethoxzolamide, several clinically used sulfonamides and heterocyclic compounds showed stronger potency, with K_Is in the range of 16–48.2 nM. These inhibitors may be useful to better understand the physiological role of the Stylophora pistillata CA (STPCA) in corals and its involvement in biomineralisation in this era of global warming.     

Carbonic anhydrase activators. The first activation study of a coral secretory isoform with amino acids and amines

The activity of the coral Stylophora pystillata secretory carbonic anhydrase STPCA has been tested in presence of amino acids and amines. All the investigated compounds showed a positive, activating effect on k_cat and have been separated in weak (K_A in the range of 21–126 μM), medium (10.1–19 μM) and strong enzyme activators (K_A of 0.18–3.21 μM). D-DOPA was found to be the best coral enzyme activator, with an activation constant K_A of 0.18 μM. This enhancement of STPCA activity, as well as previous enzyme inhibition results, might now be tested on living organisms to better understand the role played by these enzymes in the coral calcification processes.     

Purification and partial biochemical characterization of polyphenol oxidase from mamey (Pouteria sapota)

While a long shelf life for fruit products is highly desired, enzymatic browning is the main cause of quality loss in fruits and is therefore a main problem for the food industry. In this study polyphenol oxidase (PPO), the main enzyme responsible for browning was isolated from mamey fruit (Pouteria sapota) and characterized biochemically. Two isoenzymes (PPO 1 and PPO 2) were obtained upon ammonium sulfate precipitation and hydrophobic and ion exchange chromatography; PPO 1 was purified up to 6.6-fold with 0.28% yield, while PPO 2 could not be characterized as enzyme activity was completely lost after 24 h of storage. PPO 1 molecular weight was estimated to be 16.1 and 18 kDa by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE, respectively, indicating that the native state of the PPO 1 is a monomer. The optimum pH for PPO 1 activity was 7. The PPO 1 was determined to be maximum thermally stable up to 35 °C. Kinetic constants for PPO 1 were K_m = 44 mM and K_m = 1.3 mM using catechol and pyrogallol as substrate, respectively. The best substrates for PPO 1 were pyrogallol, 4-methylcatechol and catechol, while ascorbic acid and sodium metabisulfite were the most effective inhibitors.     

Inhibition of the calcium-activated chloride current in cardiac ventricular myocytes by N-(p-amylcinnamoyl)anthranilic acid (ACA)

N-(p-amylcinnamoyl)anthranilic acid (ACA), a phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) inhibitor, is structurally-related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) of the fenamate group and may also modulate various ion channels. We used the whole-cell, patch-clamp technique at room temperature to investigate the effects of ACA on the Ca²⁺-activated chloride current (I_Cl(Ca)) and other chloride currents in isolated pig cardiac ventricular myocytes. ACA reversibly inhibited I_Cl(Ca) in a concentration-dependent manner (IC₅₀ = 4.2 μM, n_Hill = 1.1), without affecting the L-type Ca²⁺ current. Unlike ACA, the non-selective PLA₂ inhibitor bromophenacyl bromide (BPB; 50 μM) had no effect on I_Cl(Ca). In addition, the analgesic NSAID structurally-related to ACA, diclofenac (50 μM) also had no effect on I_Cl(Ca), whereas the current in the same cells could be suppressed by chloride channel blockers flufenamic acid (FFA; 100 μM) or 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS;100 μM). Besides I_Cl(Ca), ACA (50 μM) also suppressed the cAMP-activated chloride current, but to a lesser extent. It is proposed that the inhibitory effects of ACA on I_Cl(Ca) are PLA₂-independent and that the drug may serve as a useful tool in understanding the nature and function of cardiac anion channels.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Inhibition of the β-class enzymes from the fungal pathogens Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans with branched aliphatic/aromatic carboxylates and their derivatives

The inhibition of the β-carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) from the pathogenic fungi Cryptococcus neoformans (Can2) and Candida albicans (Nce103) with a series of 25 branched aliphatic and aromatic carboxylates has been investigated. Human isoforms hCA I and II were also included in the study for comparison. Aliphatic carboxylates were generally millimolar hCA I and II inhibitors and low micromolar/submicromolar β-CA inhibitors. Aromatic carboxylates were micromolar inhibitors of the four enzymes but some of them showed low nanomolar activity against the fungal pathogenic enzymes. 4-Hydroxy- and 4-methoxy-benzoate inhibited Can2 with K_Is of 9.5-9.9 nM. The methyl esters, hydroxamates, hydrazides and carboxamides of some of these derivatives were also effective inhibitors of the α- and β-CAs investigated here.     

Giardia lamblia: biochemical characterization of an ecto-ATPase activity

In this work, we describe the ability of living trophozoites of Giardia lamblia to hydrolyze extracellular ATP. In the absence of any divalent cations, a low level of ATP hydrolysis was observed (0.78 ± 0.08 nmol Pi × h⁻¹ × 10⁻⁶ cells). The ATP hydrolysis was stimulated by MgCl₂ in a dose-dependent manner. Half maximum stimulation of ATP hydrolysis was obtained with 0.53 ± 0.07 mM. ATP was the best substrate for this enzyme. The apparent K_m for ATP was 0.21 ± 0.04 mM. In the pH range from 5.6 to 8.4, in which cells were viable, this activity was not modified. The Mg²⁺-stimulated ATPase activity was insensitive to inhibitors of intracellular ATPases such as vanadate (P-ATPases), bafilomycin A₁ (V-ATPases), and oligomycin (F-ATPases). Inhibitors of acid phosphatases (molybdate, vanadate and fluoride) or alkaline phosphatases (levamizole) had no effect on the ecto-ATPase activity. The impermeant agent DIDS and suramin, an antagonist of P2 purinoreceptors and inhibitor of some ecto-ATPases, decreased the enzymatic activity in a dose-dependent manner, confirming the external localization of this enzyme. Besides ATP, trophozoites were also able to hydrolyse ADP and 5´ AMP, but the hydrolysis of these nucleotides was not stimulated by MgCl₂. Our results are indicative of the occurrence of a G. lamblia ecto-ATPase activity that may have a role in parasite physiology.     

Introducing transglycosylation activity in Bacillus licheniformis α-amylase by replacement of His235 with Glu

To understand the role of His and Glu in the catalytic activity of Bacillus licheniformis α-amylase (BLA), His235 was replaced with Glu. The mutant enzyme, H235E, was characterized in terms of its mode of action using labeled and unlabeled maltooctaose (Glc8). H235E predominantly produced maltotridecaose (Glc13) from Glc8, exhibiting high substrate transglycosylation activity, with K_m = 0.38 mM and k_cat/K_m = 20.58 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹ for hydrolysis, and K_m2 = 18.38 mM and k_cat2/K_m2 = 2.57 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹ for transglycosylation, while the wild-type BLA exhibited high hydrolysis activity exclusively. Glu235—located on a wide open groove near subsite +1—is likely involved in transglycosylation via formation of an α-1,4-glycosidic linkage and may recognize and stabilize the non-reducing end glucose of the acceptor molecule.     

Novel enzymatic activity derived from the Semliki Forest virus capsid protein

The N-terminal segment of the Semliki Forest virus polyprotein is an intramolecular serine protease that cleaves itself off after the invariant Trp267 from a viral polyprotein and generates the mature capsid protein. After this autoproteolytic cleavage, the free carboxylic group of Trp267 interacts with the catalytic triad (His145, Asp167 and Ser219) and inactivates the enzyme. We have deleted the last 1-7 C-terminal residues of the mature capsid protease to investigate whether removal of Trp267 regenerates enzymatic activity. Although the C-terminally truncated polypeptides do not adopt a defined three-dimensional structure and show biophysical properties observed in natively unfolded proteins, they efficiently catalyse the hydrolysis of aromatic amino acid esters, with higher catalytic efficiency for tryptophan compared to tyrosine esters and k_cat/K_M values up to 5 × 10⁵ s⁻¹ M⁻¹. The enzymatic mechanism of these deletion variants is typical of serine proteases. The pH enzyme activity profile shows a pK_a1 = 6.9, and the Ser219Ala substitution destroys the enzymatic activity. In addition, the fast release of the first product of the enzymatic reaction is followed by a steady-state second phase, indicative of formation and breakdown of a covalent acyl-enzyme intermediate. The rates of acylation and deacylation are k₂ = 4.4±0.6 s⁻¹ and k₃ = 1.6±0.5 s⁻¹, respectively, for a tyrosine derivative ester substrate, and the amplitude of the burst phase indicates that 95% of the enzyme molecules are active. In summary, our data provide further evidence for the potential catalytic activity of natively unfolded proteins, and provide the basis for engineering of alphavirus capsid proteins towards hydrolytic enzymes with novel specificities.     

A glucose-tolerant β-glucosidase from Prunus domestica seeds: Purification and characterization

A glucose-tolerant β-glucosidase was purified to homogeneity from prune (Prunus domestica) seeds by successive ammonium sulfate precipitation, hydrophobic interaction chromatography and anion-exchange chromatography. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 61 kDa by SDS-PAGE and 54 kDa by gel permeation chromatography. The enzyme has a pI of 5.0 by isoelectric focusing and an optimum activity at pH 5.5 and 55 °C. It is stable at temperatures up to 45 °C and in a broad pH range. Its activity was completely inhibited by 5 mM of Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺. The enzyme hydrolyzed both p-nitrophenyl β-d-glucopyranoside with a K_m of 3.09 mM and a V_max of 122.1 μmol/min mg and p-nitrophenyl β-d-fucopyranoside with a K_m of 1.65 mM and a V_max of 217.6 μmol/min mg, while cellobiose was not a substrate. Glucono-δ-lactone and glucose competitively inhibited the enzyme with K_i values of 0.033 and 468 mM, respectively.     

Anion inhibition study of the β-carbonic anhydrase (CahB1) from the cyanobacterium Coleofasciculus chthonoplastes (ex-Microcoleus chthonoplastes)

We investigated the catalytic activity and inhibition of the β-class carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) CahB1, from the relict cyanobacterium Coleofasciculus chthonoplastes (previously denominated Microcoleus chthonoplastes). The enzyme showed good activity as a catalyst for the CO₂ hydration, with a k_cat of 2.4 × 10⁵ s⁻¹ and a k_cat/K_m of 6.3 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. A range of inorganic anions and small molecules were investigated as inhibitors of CahB1. Perchlorate and tetrafluoroborate did not inhibit the enzyme (K_Is >200 mM) whereas selenate and selenocyanide were ineffective inhibitors too, with K_Is of 29.9–48.61 mM. The halides, pseudohalides, carbonate, bicarbonate, trithiocarbonate and a range of heavy metal ions-containing anions were submillimolar–millimolar inhibitors (K_Is in the range of 0.15–0.90 mM). The best CahB1 inhibitors were N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate, sulfamate, sulfamide, phenylboronic acid and phenylarsonic acid, with K_Is in the range of 8–75 μM, whereas acetazolamide inhibited the enzyme with a K_I of 76 nM. This is the first kinetic and inhibition study of a cyanobacterial CA. As these enzymes are widespread in many cyanobacteria, being crucial for the carbon concentrating mechanism which assures substrate to RubisCO for the CO₂ fixation by these organisms, a detailed kinetic/inhibition study may be essential for a better understanding of this superfamily of metalloenzymes and for potential biotechnological applications in biomimetic CO₂ capture processes.     

Recombinant glucose oxidase from Penicillium amagasakiense for efficient bioelectrochemical applications in physiological conditions

GOX is the most widely used enzyme for the development of electrochemical glucose biosensors and biofuel cell in physiological conditions. The present work describes the production of a recombinant glucose oxidase from Penicillium amagasakiense (yGOXpenag) displaying a more efficient glucose catalysis (k_cat/K_M(glucose) = 93 μM⁻¹ s⁻¹) than the native GOX from Aspergillus niger (nGOXaspng), which is the most industrially used (k_cat/K_M(glucose) = 27 μM⁻¹ s⁻¹). Expression in Pichia pastoris allowed easy production and purification of the recombinant active enzyme, without overglycosylation. Its biotechnological interest was further evaluated by measuring kinetics of ferrocinium-methanol (FM_ox) reduction, which is commonly used for electron transfer to the electrode surface. Despite their homologies in sequence and structure, pH-dependant FM_ox reduction was different between the two enzymes. At physiological pH and temperature, we observed that electron transfer to the redox mediator is also more efficient for yGOXpenag than for nGOXaspng(k_cat/K_M(FM_ox) = 27 μM⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 17 μM⁻¹ s⁻¹ respectively). In our model system, the catalytic current observed in the presence of blood glucose concentration (5 mM) was two times higher with yGOXpenag than with nGOXaspng. All our results indicated that yGOXpenag is a better candidate for industrial development of efficient bioelectrochemical devices used in physiological conditions.     

Anion inhibition study of the β-class carbonic anhydrase (PgiCAb) from the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis

The oral pathogenic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis, encodes for two carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) one belonging to the β-class (PgiCAb) and another one to the γ-class (PgiCA). This last enzyme has been characterized earlier for its inhibition profile with various classes of CA inhibitors, such as the sulfonamides and anions, whereas for PgiCAb such data were not yet reported. Here we show that PgiCAb has a good catalytic activity for the CO₂ hydration reaction, with k_cat 2.8 × 10⁵ s⁻¹ and k_cat/K_m of 1.5 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ × s⁻¹, being inhibited by cyanate and diethyldithiocarbamate in the submillimolar range (K_Is of 0.23–0.76 mM) and more efficiently by sulfamide, sulfamate, phenylboronic acid and phenylarsonic acid (K_Is of 60–78 μM). The anion inhibition profile of the two P. gingivalis enzymes is very different. Identification of selective inhibitors of PgiCAb/PgiCA may lead to pharmacological tools useful for understanding the physiological role(s) of these enzymes, since this bacterium is the main causative agent of periodontitis and few treatment options are presently available.     

A continuous assay for α-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase using circular dichroism

α-Methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase (AMACR) catalyzes the epimerization of (2R)- and (2S)-methyl branched fatty acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) thioesters. AMACR is a biomarker for prostate cancer and a putative target for the development of therapeutic agents directed against the disease. To facilitate development of AMACR inhibitors, a continuous circular dichroism (CD)-based assay has been developed. The open reading frame encoding AMACR from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MCR) was subcloned into a pET15b vector, and the enzyme was overexpressed and purified using metal ion affinity chromatography. The rates of MCR-catalyzed epimerization of either (2R)- or (2S)-ibuprofenoyl-CoA were determined by following the change in ellipticity at 279 nm in the presence of octyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (0.2%). MCR exhibited slightly higher affinity for (2R)-ibuprofenoyl-CoA (K_m = 48 ± 5 μM, k_cat = 291 ± 30 s⁻¹), but turned over (2S)-ibuprofenoyl-CoA (K_m = 86 ± 6 μM, k_cat = 450 ± 14 s⁻¹) slightly faster. MCR expressed as a fusion protein bearing an N-terminal His₆-tag had a catalytic efficiency (k_cat/K_m) that was reduced 22% and 47% in the 2S → 2R and 2R → 2S directions, respectively, relative to untagged enzyme. The continuous CD-based assay offers an economical and efficient alternative method to the labor-intensive, fixed-time assays currently used to measure AMACR activity.     

Sulfonamide inhibition study of the carbonic anhydrases from the bacterial pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis: The β-class (PgiCAb) versus the γ-class (PgiCA) enzymes

The oral pathogenic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis, encodes for two carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) one belonging to the γ-class (PgiCA) and another one to the β-class (PgiCAb). This last enzyme has been cloned and characterized here for its inhibition profile with the main class of CA inhibitors, the sulfonamides. Many of the clinically used sulfonamides as well as simple aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamides were ineffective as PgiCAb inhibitors whereas better inhibition was observed with simple derivatives such as sulfanilamide, metanilamide, 4-aminoalkylbenzenesulfonamides (K_Is of 364–475 nM). The halogenosulfanilamides incorporating heavy halogens, 4-hydroxy- and 4-hydroxyalkyl-benzenesulfonamides, were also micromolar, ineffective PgiCAb inhibitors. The best inhibitors of the β-class enzyme were acetazolamide and ethoxzolamide, with K_Is of 214–280 nM. Interestingly, the γ-class enzyme was much more sensitive to sulfonamide inhibitors compared to the β-class one, PgiCAb. Identification of potent and possibly selective inhibitors of PgiCAb/PgiCA may lead to pharmacological tools useful for understanding the physiological role(s) of these enzymes, since this bacterium is the main causative agent of periodontitis and few treatment options are presently available.     

Sulfonamide inhibition studies of the δ-carbonic anhydrase from the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii

The δ-carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) TweCA from the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii has recently been cloned, purified and its activity/inhibition with anions investigated. Here we report the first sulfonamide/sulfamate inhibition study of a δ-class CA. Among the 40 such compounds investigated so far, 3-bromosulfanilamide, acetazolamide, ethoxzolamide, dorzolamide and brinzolamide were the most effective TweCA inhibitors detected, with K_Is of 49.6–118 nM. Many simple aromatic sulfonamides as well as dichlorophenamide, benzolamide, topiramate, zonisamide, indisulam and valdecoxib were medium potency inhibitors, (K_Is of 375–897 nM). Saccharin and hydrochlorothiazide were ineffective inhibitors of the δ-class enzyme, with K_Is of 4.27–9.20 μM. The inhibition profile of the δ-CA is very different from that of α-, β- and γ-CAs from different organisms. Although no X-ray crystal structure of this enzyme is available, we hypothesize that as for other CA classes, the sulfonamides inhibit the enzymatic activity by binding to the Zn(II) ion from the δ-CA active site.     

Anion inhibition studies of two new β-carbonic anhydrases from the bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila

We investigated the cloning, catalytic activity and anion inhibition of the β-class carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) from the bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila. Two such enzymes, lpCA1 and lpCA2, were found in the genome of this pathogen. These enzymes were determined to be efficient catalysts for CO₂ hydration, with k_cat values in the range of (3.4–8.3) × 10⁵ s⁻¹ and k_cat/K_M values of (4.7–8.5) × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. A set of inorganic anions and small molecules was investigated to identify inhibitors of these enzymes. Perchlorate and tetrafluoroborate were not acting as inhibitors (K_I >200 mM), whereas sulfate was a very weak inhibitor for both lpCA1 and lpCA2 (K_I values of 77.9–96.5 mM). The most potent lpCA1 inhibitors were cyanide, azide, hydrogen sulfide, diethyldithiocarbamate, sulfamate, sulfamide, phenylboronic acid and phenylarsonic acid, with K_I values ranging from 6 to 94 μM. The most potent lpCA2 inhibitors were diethyldithiocarbamate, sulfamide, sulfamate, phenylboronic acid and phenylarsonic acid, with K_I values ranging from 2 to 13 μM. As these enzymes seem to be involved in regulation of phagosome pH during Legionella infection, inhibition of these targets may lead to antibacterial agents with a novel mechanism of action.