Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Cloning, characterization and inhibition studies of the cytosolic isozyme III with anions

The cytosolic human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) isozyme III (hCA III) has been cloned and purified by the GST-fusion protein method. Recombinant pure hCA III had the following kinetic parameters for the CO(2) hydration reaction at 20 degrees C and pH 7.5: k(cat) of 1.3 x 10(4) s(- 1) and k(cat)/K(M) of 2.5.10(5) M(- 1) s(- 1). The first detailed inhibition study of this enzyme with anions is reported. Inhibition data of the cytosolic isozymes hCA I - hCA III with a large number of anions (halides, pseudohalides, bicarbonate, carbonate, nitrate, nitrite, hydrosulfide, sulfate, sulfamic acid, sulfamide, etc.), were determined and these values are comparatively discussed for these three cytosolic isoforms. Fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, phenylboronic acid and phenylarsonic acid (as anions) were weak hCA III inhibitors (K(I)s of 21-78.5 mM), whereas bicarbonate, chloride, bromide, sulfate and several other simple anions showed K(I)s around 1 mM. The best hCA III inhibitors were carbonate, cyanide, thiocyanate, azide and hydrogensulfide, which showed K(I)s in the range of 10-90 microM. It is difficult to explain the inhibitory activity of carbonate (K(I) of 10 microM) against hCA III, also considering the fact that this ion has an affinity of 15-73 mM for hCA I and II and is in equilibrium with one of the substrates of this enzyme, i.e., bicarbonate, which is a much weaker inhibitor (K(I) of 0.74 mM against hCA III, of 12 mM against hCA I and of 85 mM against hCA II).     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Inhibition of the human cytosolic isozyme VII with aromatic and heterocyclic sulfonamides

The inhibition of a newly cloned human carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), isozyme VII (hCA VII), has been investigated with a series of aromatic and heterocyclic sulfonamides, including some of the clinically used derivatives (acetazolamide, methazolamide, ethoxzolamide, dichlorophenamide, dorzolamide, brinzolamide and benzolamide), as well as the sulfamate antiepileptic drug topiramate. Inhibition data for the the other physiologically relevant cytosolic isoforms hCA I, hCA II and mCA XIII are also provided for comparison. hCA VII shows a high catalytic activity for the CO(2) hydration reaction, with a k(cat) of 9.5 x 10(5)s(-1) and k(cat)/K(m) of 8.3 x 10(7)M(-1)s(-1) at pH7.5 and 20 degrees C. A very interesting inhibition profile against hCA VII with this series of 32 sulfonamides/sulfamates was observed. hCA VII shows high affinity for all the investigated compounds, with inhibition constants in the range of 0.45-210 nM. Topiramate, ethoxzolamide and benzolamide showed subnanomolar hCA VII inhibitory activity, whereas acetazolamide, methazolamide, dorzolamide and brinzolamide showed K(I)-s in the range of 2.1-3.5 nM. Dichlorophenamide was slightly less active (K(I) of 26.5 nM). A number of heterocyclic or bicyclic aromatic sulfonamides also showed excellent hCA VII inhibitory properties (K(I)-s in the range of 4.3-7.0 nM) whereas many monosubstituted or disubstituted benzenesulfonamides were less active (K(I)-s in the range of 45-89 nM). The least active hCA VII inhibitors were some substituted benzene-1,3-disulfonamides as well as some halogenated sulfanilamides (K(I)-s in the range of 100-210 nM). The inhibition profile of hCA VII is rather different of that of the other cytosolic isozymes, providing thus a possibility for the design of more selective, hCA VII-specific inhibitors. In addition, these data furnish further evidence that hCA VII is the isozyme responsible for the anticonvulsant/antiepileptic activity of sulfonamides and sulfamates.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of histamine Schiff bases as carbonic anhydrase I,II, IV,VII, and IX activators

A series of 20 histamine Schiff base was synthesised by reaction of histamine, a well known carbonic anhydrase (CA, E.C 4.2.2.1.) activator pharmacophore, with substituted aldehydes. The obtained histamine Schiff bases were assayed as activators of five selected human (h) CA isozymes, the cytosolic hCA I, hCA II, and hCA VII, the membrane-anchored hCA IV and transmembrane hCA IX. Some of these compounds showed efficient activity (in the nanomolar range) against the cytosolic isoform hCA VII, which is a key CA enzyme involved in brain metabolism. Moderate activity was observed against hCA I and hCA IV (in the nanomolar to low micromolar range). The structure–activity relationship for activation of these isoforms with the new histamine Schiff bases is discussed in detail based on the nature of the aliphatic, aromatic, or heterocyclic moiety present in the aldehyde fragment of the molecule, which may participate in diverse interactions with amino acid residues at the entrance of the active site, where activators bind, and which is the most variable part among the different CA isoforms.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: inhibition of the cytosolic human isozyme VII with anions

An inhibition study of the cytosolic carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isozyme VII (hCA VII) with anions has been conducted. Cyanate, cyanide, and hydrogensulfite were weak hCA VII inhibitors (K(I)s in the range of 7.3-15.2 mM). Cl- and HCO3- showed good inhibitory activity against hCA VII (K(I)s of 0.16-1.84 mM), suggesting that this enzyme is not involved in metabolons with anion exchangers or sodium bicarbonate cotransporters. The best inhibitors were sulfamate, sulfamide, phenylboronic, and phenylarsonic acid (K(I)s of 6.8-12.5 microM).     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: cloning, characterization, and inhibition studies of the cytosolic isozyme III with sulfonamides

The cytosolic human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) isozyme III (hCA III) has been cloned and purified by the GST-fusion protein method. Recombinant pure hCA III had the following kinetic parameters for the CO(2) hydration reaction at 20 degrees C and pH 7.5: k(cat) of 1.3 x 10(4) s(-1) and k(cat)/K(M) of 2.5 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1), being a slower catalyst for the physiological reaction as compared to the genetically related cytosolic isoforms hCA I and II. An inhibition study with a library of sulfonamides and one sulfamate, some which are clinically used compounds, is reported. hCA III is less prone to be inhibited by these compounds as compared to hCA I and II for which many low nanomolar inhibitors were detected earlier. The best hCA III inhibitors were prontosil, sulpiride, indisulam, benzolamide, aminobenzolamide, and 4-amino-6-chloro-benzene-1,3-disulfonamide which showed K(I)s in the range of 2.3-18.1 microM. Clinically used compounds such as acetazolamide, methazolamide, ethoxzolamide, dorzolamide, brinzolamide, topiramate, zonisamide, celecoxib, and valdecoxib were less effective hCA III inhibitors, with affinities in the range of 154-2200 microM. This is the first study in which low micromolar hCA III inhibitors are reported.     

Discovery of novel 1,3-diaryltriazene sulfonamides as carbonic anhydrase I,II, VII,and IX inhibitors

A series of new 1,3-diaryltriazene sulfonamides was synthesised by reaction of diazonium salt of metanilamide (3-aminobenzene sulfonamide) with substituted aromatic amines. The obtained new compounds were assayed as inhibitors of four physiologically and pharmacologically relevant human (h) isoforms of carbonic anhydrases (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), specifically, hCA I, hCA II, and hCA VII (cytosolic isoforms), as well as the tumour-associated membrane-bound isoform hCA IX. All isoforms investigated here were inhibited by the newly synthesised 1,3-diaryltriazene sulfonamide derivatives from the micromolar to the nanomolar range. The cytosolic isoforms were inhibited with K_is in the range of 92.3–8371.1?nM (hCA I), 4.3–9194.0?nM (hCA II), and 15.6–9477.8?nM (hCA VII), respectively. For the membrane-bound tumour-associated isoform hCA IX, the K_I-s ranged between 50.8 and 9268.5?nM. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) with these newly synthesised metanilamide derivatives are discussed in detail.     

Dipotassium-trioxohydroxytetrafluorotriborate,K2[B3O3F4OH], is a potent inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrases

Abstract

The boron heterocyclic compound dipotassium-trioxohydroxytetrafluorotriborate (K₂[B₃O₃F₄OH]) was investigated as inhibitor of the zinc enzyme, carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1). Eleven human (h) CA isoforms, hCA I–IV, VA, VI, VII, IX and XII–XIV, were included in the investigations. The anion, similar to tetraborate or phenylboronic acid, inhibited most of them. hCA III was not inhibited by K₂[B₃O₃F₄OH], whereas hCA VA, hCA VI, hCA IX and hCA XIII were inhibited in the submillimolar range, with K_Is of 0.31–0.63?mM. hCA I and II (cytosolic, widespread isoforms), hCA IV (membrane-bound isoform), hCA XII (tumor-associated, transmembrane) and hCA XIV (transmembrane) were much more effectively inhibited by this anion, with inhibition constants ranging from 25 to 93?µM. hCA VII, a cytosolic enzyme present in the brain and associated to oxidative stress, was very effectively inhibited by K₂[B₃O₃F₄OH], with a K_I of 8.0?µM. We propose that K₂[B₃O₃F₄OH] binds to the metal ion from the enzyme active site, coordinating to the Zn(II) ion monodentately through its B-OH functionality. We hypothesize that some of the beneficial antitumor effects reported for K₂[B₃O₃F₄OH] may be due to the inhibition of CAs present in skin tumors.     

Crystal structure of the C183S/C217S mutant of human CA VII in complex with acetazolamide

Human carbonic anhydrase VII (hCA VII) is a cytosolic member of the α-CA family. This enzyme is mainly localized in a number of brain tissues such as the cortex, hippocampus and thalamus and has been noted for its contribution in generating neuronal excitation and seizures. Recently, it has been also proposed that hCA VII may be involved in the control of neuropathic pain, thus its inhibition may offer a new approach in designing pain killers useful for combating neuropathic pain. We report here the X-ray crystallographic structure of a mutated form of human CA VII in complex with acetazolamide, a classical sulfonamide inhibitor. These crystallographic studies provide important implications for the rational drug design of selective CA inhibitors with clinical applications.     

Soluble human core 2 beta6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase C2GnT1 requires its conserved cysteine residues for full activity

Human UDP-GlcNAc: Galbeta1-3GalNAc- (GlcNAc to GalNAc) beta1,6-GlcNAc-transferase (C2GnT1) is a member of a group of beta6-GlcNAc-transferases that belongs to CAZy family 14. One of the striking features of these beta6-GlcNAc-transferases is the occurrence of nine completely conserved cysteine residues that are located throughout the catalytic domain. We have expressed the soluble catalytic domain of human C2GnT1 in insect cells, and isolated active enzyme as a secreted protein. beta-Mercaptoethanol (beta-ME) and dithiothreitol (DTT) were found to stimulate the enzyme activity up to 20-fold, indicating a requirement for a reduced sulfhydryl for activity. When the enzyme was subjected to nonreducing PAGE, the migration of the protein was identical to the migration in reducing gels, demonstrating the absence of intermolecular disulfide bonds. This suggested that the monomer is the active form of the enzyme. Sulfhydryl reagents such as 5,5'-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB) and N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) inactivated the enzyme, and the inactivation was partially prevented by prior addition of donor or acceptor substrate and by sulfhydryl reducing agents. We therefore investigated the role of all nine conserved cysteine residues in enzyme stability and activity by site-directed mutagenesis where individual cysteine residues were changed to serine. All of the mutants were expressed as soluble proteins. Seven of the Cys mutants were found to be inactive, while C100S and C217S mutants had 10% and 41% activity, respectively, when compared to the wild-type enzyme. Wild-type and C217S enzymes had similar K(M) and V(max) values for acceptor substrate Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha-p-nitrophenyl (GGApnp), but the K(M) value for UDP-GlcNAc was higher for C217S than for the wild-type enzyme. In contrast to wild-type enzyme, C217S was not stimulated by reducing agents and was not inhibited by sulfhydryl specific reagents. These results suggest that Cys-217 is a free sulfhydryl in active wild-type enzyme and that Cys-217, although not required for activity, is in or near the active site of the protein. Since seven of the mutations were totally inactive, it is likely that these seven Cys residues play a role in maintaining an active conformation of soluble C2GnT1 by forming disulfide bonds. These bonds are only broken at high concentrations of disulfide reducing agents.     

Synthesis and carbonic anhydrase I,II, VII,and IX inhibition studies with a series of benzo[d]thiazole-5- and 6-sulfonamides

A series of benzo[d]thiazole-5- and 6-sulfonamides has been synthesized and investigated for the inhibition of several human (h) carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms, using ethoxzolamide (EZA) as lead molecule. 2-Amino-substituted, 2-acylamino- and halogenated (bromo-and iodo-derivatives at the heterocyclic ring) compounds led to several interesting inhibitors against the cytosolic hCA I, II and VII, as well as the transmembrane, tumor-associated hCA IX isoforms. Several subnanomolar/low nanomolar, isoform-selective sulfonamide inhibitors targeting hCA II, VII and IX were detected. The sharp structure–activity relationship for CA inhibition with this small series of derivatives, with important changes of activity observed even after minor changes in the scaffold or at the 2-amino moiety, make this class of scarcely investigated sulfonamides of particular interest for further investigations.     

Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase isoforms I,II, IX and XII with secondary sulfonamides incorporating benzothiazole scaffolds

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) catalyze the fundamental reaction of CO₂ hydration in all living organisms, being actively involved in the regulation of a plethora of patho/physiological conditions. A series of benzothiazole-based sulfonamides were synthesized and tested as possible CA inhibitors. Their inhibitory activity was assessed against the cytosolic human isoforms hCA I and hCA II and the transmembrane hCA IX and hCA XII. Several of the investigated derivatives showed interesting inhibition activity and selectivities for inhibiting hCA IX and hCA XII over the off-target ones hCA I and hCA II. Furthermore, computational procedures were used to investigate the binding mode of this class of compounds, within the active site of hCA IX.     

Insights into the role of reactive sulfhydryl groups of Carbonic Anhydrase III and VII during oxidative damage

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) III and VII are two cytosolic isoforms of the α-CA family which catalyze the physiological reaction of carbon dioxide hydration to bicarbonate and proton. Despite these two enzymes share a 49% sequence identity and present a very similar three-dimensional structure, they show profound differences when comparing the specific activity for CO₂ hydration reaction, with CA VII being much more active than CA III. Recently, CA III and CA VII have been proposed to play a new role as scavenger enzymes in cells where oxidative damage occurs. Here, we will examine functional and structural features of these two isoforms giving insights into their newly proposed protective role against oxidative stress.     

Microwave assisted synthesis of novel acridine–acetazolamide conjugates and investigation of their inhibition effects on human carbonic anhydrase isoforms hCA I,II, IV and VII

4-Amino-N-(5-sulfamoyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)benzamide was condensed with cyclic-1,3-diketones (dimedone and cyclohexane-1,3-dione) and aromatic aldehydes under microwave irradiation, leading to a series of acridine–acetazolamide conjugates. The new compounds were investigated as inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), and more precisely cytosolic isoforms hCA I, II, VII and membrane-bound one hCA IV. All investigated isoforms were inhibited in low micromolar and nanomolar range by the new compounds. hCA IV and VII were inhibited with K_Is in the range of 29.7–708.8 nM (hCA IV), and of 1.3–90.7 nM (hCA VII). For hCA I and II the K_Is were in the range of 6.7–335.2 nM (hCA I) and of 0.5–55.4 nM (hCA II). The structure–activity relationships (SAR) for the inhibition of these isoforms with the acridine–acetazolamide conjugates reported here were delineated.     

Investigation of piperazines as human carbonic anhydrase I,II, IV and VII activators

Four human (h) carbonic anhydrase isoforms (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), hCA I, II, IV, and VII, were investigated for their activation profile with piperazines belonging to various classes, such as N-aryl-, N-alkyl-, N-acyl-piperazines as well as 2,4-disubstituted derivatives. As the activation mechanism involves participation of the activator in the proton shuttling between the zinc-coordinated water molecule and the external milieu, these derivatives possessing diverse basicity and different scaffolds were appropriate for being investigated as CA activators (CAAs). Most of these derivatives showed CA activating properties against hCA I, II, and VII (cytosolic isoforms) but were devoid of activity against the membrane-associated hCA IV. For hCA I, the K_As were in the range of 32.6–131?µM; for hCA II of 16.2–116?µM, and for hCA VII of 17.1–131?µM. The structure-activity relationship was intricate and not easy to rationalize, but the most effective activators were 1-(2-piperidinyl)-piperazine (K_A of 16.2?µM for hCA II), 2-benzyl-piperazine (K_A of 17.1?µM for hCA VII), and 1-(3-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)propan-1-one (K_A of 32.6?µM for hCA I). As CAAs may have interesting pharmacologic applications in cognition and for artificial tissue engineering, investigation of new classes of activators may be crucial for this relatively new research field.     

7-Amino-3,4-dihydro-1H-quinolin-2-one,a compound similar to the substituted coumarins,inhibits α-carbonic anhydrases without hydrolysis of the lactam ring

Abstract

7-Amino-3,4-dihydro-1H-quinolin-2-one, a compound structurally similar to coumarins, recently discovered class of inhibitors of the α-carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) was investigated for its interaction with all human (h) CA isoforms, hCA I-XIV. The compound was not an inhibitor of the cytosolic, widespread isoform hCA II (K_I?>?10?µM), was a weak inhibitor of hCA I, III, IV, VA, VI and XIII (K_Is in the range of 0.90–9.5?µM) but effectively inhibited the cytosolic isoform hCA VII (K_I of 480?nM) as well as the transmembrane isoforms hCA IX, XII and XIV (K_Is in the range of 16.1–510?nM). Against many CA isoforms this lactam was a better inhibitor compared to the structurally similar 4-methyl-7-aminocoumarin, but unlike this compound, the lactam ring was not hydrolyzed and the inhibition was due to the intact bicyclic amino-quinolinone scaffold. Bicyclic lactams strucurally related to coumarins are thus a new class of CA inhibitors possessing however a distinct inhibition mechanism compared to the coumarins which undergo a hydrolysis of their lactone ring for generating the enzyme inhibitory species.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Phenacetyl-, pyridylacetyl- and thienylacetyl-substituted aromatic sulfonamides act as potent and selective isoform VII inhibitors

A series of aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamides incorporating phenyl(alkyl), halogenosubstituted-phenyl- or 1,3,4-thiadiazole-sulfonamide moieties and thienylacetamido; phenacetamido- and pyridinylacetamido tails were prepared and assayed as inhibitors of cytosolic human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms hCA I, II and VII. The new compounds showed moderate inhibition of the two ubiquitous isoforms I and II (K_Is of 50–390 nM) and excellent inhibitory activity against the brain associated hCA VII (K_Is in the range of 4.7–8.5 nM). Isoform VII highly selective inhibitors are being detected for the first time, with selectivity ratios for inhibiting CA VII over CA II of 11–75, and for inhibiting CA VII over CA I of 10–49, which may be useful for understanding the role of CA VII in epileptogenesis and other physiologic processes.     

Conformational variability of different sulfonamide inhibitors with thienyl-acetamido moieties attributes to differential binding in the active site of cytosolic human carbonic anhydrase isoforms

The X-ray crystal structures of the adducts of human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) II complexed with two aromatic sulfonamides incorporating 2-thienylacetamido moieties are reported here. Although, the two inhibitors only differ by the presence of an additional 3-fluoro substituent on the 4-amino-benzenesulfonamide scaffold, their inhibition profiles against the cytosolic isoforms hCA I, II, III, VII and XIII are quite different. These differences were rationalized based on the obtained X-ray crystal structures, and their comparison with other sulfonamide CA inhibitors with clinical applications, such as acetazolamide, methazolamide and dichlorophenamide. The conformations of the 2-thienylacetamido tails in the hCA II adducts of the two sulfonamides were highly different, although the benzenesulfonamide parts were superimposable. Specific interactions between structurally different inhibitors and amino acid residues present only in some considered isoforms have thus been evidenced. These findings can explain the high affinity of the 2-thienylacetamido benzenesulfonamides for some pharmacologically relevant CAs (i.e., isoforms II and VII) being also useful to design high affinity, more selective sulfonamide inhibitors of various CAs.     

Synthesis of novel acridine and bis acridine sulfonamides with effective inhibitory activity against the cytosolic carbonic anhydrase isoforms II and VII

4-Amino-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)benzamide was synthesized by reduction of 4-nitro-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)benzamide and used to synthesize novel acridine sulfonamide compounds, by a coupling reaction with cyclic-1,3-diketones and aromatic aldehydes. The new compounds were investigated as inhibitors of the metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), and more precisely the cytosolic isoforms hCA I, II and VII. hCA I was inhibited in the micromolar range by the new compounds (K_Is of 0.16–9.64 μM) whereas hCA II and VII showed higher affinity for these compounds, with K_Is in the range of 15–96 nM for hCA II, and of 4–498 nM for hCA VII. The structure–activity relationships for the inhibition of these isoforms with the acridine–sulfonamides reported here were also elucidated.     

Acipimox inhibits human carbonic anhydrases

Acipimox, a nicotinic acid derivative in clinical use for the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, incorporates a free carboxylic acid and an N-oxide moiety, functionalities known to interact with the metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) and inhibit its activity. Herein we report that acipimox acts as a low micromolar CA inhibitor (CAI) against most human (h) isoforms possessing catalytic activity, hCA I – XIV. By using computational techniques (docking and molecular dynamics simulations), we propose that acipimox coordinates through its carboxylate group to the zinc ion from the enzyme active site cavity, whereas the N-oxide group is hydrogen-bonded to the proton shuttle His residue in some isoforms (hCA I) or to active site Thr or Gln residues in other isoforms (hCA II, III, IV, VII, etc). As some CA isoforms are involved in lipogenesis, these data may be useful for the design of more effective CAIs with antiobesity activity.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Synthesis and inhibition of the human carbonic anhydrase isoforms I,II, VII,IX and XII with benzene sulfonamides incorporating 4,5,6,7-tetrabromophthalimide moiety

A series of 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl benzenesulfonamide derivatives (compounds 1–8) was synthesized by reaction of benzene sulfonamide derivatives with 4,5,6,7-tetrabromophthalic anhydride moiety. These new sulfonamides were investigated as inhibitors of the zinc metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) and more specifically against the human (h) cytosolic isoforms hCA I, II and VII and the transmembrane tumor-associated isoform hCA IX and XII. The new compounds were good hCA I inhibitors (Kis in the range of 143 to >10,000 nM), but were moderately effective, as hCA II inhibitors (Kis of 47–190 nM) and poor hCA VII inhibitors (Kis in the range of 54–175 nM) compared to acetazolamide. The tumor-associated hCA IX was effectively inhibited with Kis ranging between 8.5 and 234 nM and hCA XII with inhibition constants in the range of 6.1–197 nM with high selectivity ratio. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) with this series of sulfonamides is straightforward, with the main features leading to good activity for each isoforms being established. The high sequence hCA alignment homology and molecular docking study of compounds was performed to rationalize the SAR reported over here.