Structural and kinetic analysis of proton shuttle residues in the active site of human carbonic anhydrase III

We report the X-ray crystal structures and rate constants for proton transfer in site-specific mutants of human carbonic anhydrase III (HCA III) that place a histidine residue in the active-site cavity: K64H, R67H, and K64H-R67N HCA III. Prior evidence from the exchange of 18O between CO2 and water measured by mass spectrometry shows each mutant to have enhanced proton transfer in catalysis compared with wild-type HCA III. However, His64 in K64H and K64H-R67N HCA III have at most a capacity for proton transfer that is only 13% that of His64 in HCA II. This reduced rate in mutants of HCA III is associated with a constrained side-chain conformation of His64, which is oriented outward, away from the active-site zinc in the crystal structures. This conformation appears stabilized by a prominent pi stacking interaction of the imidazole ring of His64 with the indole ring of Trp5 in mutants of HCA III. This single orientation of His64 in K64H HCA III predominates also in a double mutant K64H-R67N HCA III, indicating that the positive charge of Arg67 does not influence the observed conformation of His64 in the crystal structure. Hence, the structures and catalytic activity of these mutants of HCA III containing His64 account only in small part for the lower activity of this isozyme compared with HCA II. His67 in R67H HCA III was also shown to be a proton shuttle residue, having a capacity for proton transfer that was approximately four times that of His64 in K64H HCA III. This is most likely due to its proximity and orientation inward towards the zinc-bound solvent. These results emphasize the significance of side chain orientation and range of available conformational states as characteristics of an efficient proton shuttle in carbonic anhydrase.     

Proton transfer pathways in the mutant His-64-Ala of human carbonic anhydrase II

We have investigated the possible proton transfer pathways from the surface of the protein to the zinc-bound water molecule in the mutant His-64-Ala of human carbonic anhydrase II. Starting with an input of known crystallographic structures of the mutant, we model the proton pathways as hydrogen-bonded networks of proton conducting groups and bound solvent molecules. No proton path is detected in the mutant, in close agreement with the experimental observation of a 20-fold decrease in its catalytic efficiency compared to the wild-type enzyme. We also investigate in detail changes in hydration structure at the active site of the mutant and the resulting proton paths in the presence of an exogenous proton donor 4-methylimidazole (4-MI). The proton transfer pathways thus detected are correlated to the observed chemical rescue of catalytic activity by 4-MI.     

Proton transfer from exogenous donors in catalysis by human carbonic anhydrase II

In the site-specific mutant of human carbonic anhydrase in which the proton shuttle His64 is replaced with alanine, H64A HCA II, catalysis can be activated in a saturable manner by the proton donor 4-methylimidazole (4-MI). From 1H NMR relaxivities, we found 4-MI bound as a second-shell ligand of the tetrahedrally coordinated cobalt in Co(II)-substituted H64A HCA II, with 4-MI located about 4.5 A from the metal. Binding constants of 4-MI to H64A HCA II were estimated from: (1) NMR relaxation of the protons of 4-MI by Co(II)-H64A HCA II, (2) the visible absorption spectrum of Co(II)-H64A HCA II in the presence of 4-MI, (3) the inhibition by 4-MI of the catalytic hydration of CO2, and (4) from the catalyzed exchange of 18O between CO2 and water. These experiments along with previously reported crystallographic and catalytic data help identify a range of distances at which proton transfer is efficient in carbonic anhydrase II.     

Structures of murine carbonic anhydrase IV and human carbonic anhydrase II complexed with brinzolamide: molecular basis of isozyme-drug discrimination.

Carbonic anhydrase IV (CAIV) is a membrane-associated enzyme anchored to plasma membrane surfaces by a phosphatidylinositol glycan linkage. We have determined the 2.8-angstroms resolution crystal structure of a truncated, soluble form of recombinant murine CAIV. We have also determined the structure of its complex with a drug used for glaucoma therapy, the sulfonamide inhibitor brinzolamide (Azopt). The overall structure of murine CAIV is generally similar to that of human CAIV; however, some local structural differences are found in the active site resulting from amino acid sequence differences in the "130's segment" and the residue-63 loop (these may affect the nearby catalytic proton shuttle, His-64). Similar to human CAIV, the C-terminus of murine CAIV is surrounded by a substantial electropositive surface potential that may stabilize the interaction with the phospholipid membrane. Binding interactions observed for brinzolamide rationalize the generally weaker affinity of inhibitors used in glaucoma therapy toward CAIV compared with CAII.     

Proton transfer in catalysis and the role of proton shuttles in carbonic anhydrase

The undisputed role of His64 in proton transfer during catalysis by carbonic anhydrases in the α class has raised questions concerning the details of its mechanism. The highly conserved residues Tyr7, Asn62, and Asn67 in the active-site cavity function to fine tune the properties of proton transfer by human carbonic anhydrase II (HCA II). For example, hydrophobic residues at these positions favor an inward orientation of His64 and a low pK_a for its imidazole side chain. It appears that the predominant manner in which this fine tuning is achieved in rate constants for proton transfer is through the difference in pK_a between His64 and the zinc-bound solvent molecule. Other properties of the active-site cavity, such as inward and outward conformers of His64, appear associated with the change in ΔpK_a; however, there is no strong evidence to date that the inward and outward orientations of His64 are in themselves requirements for facile proton transfer in carbonic anhydrase.     

Role of protein motions on proton transfer pathways in human carbonic anhydrase II

We report here a theoretical study on the formation of long-range proton transfer pathways in proteins due to side chain conformational fluctuations of amino acid residues and reorganization of interior hydration positions. The proton transfer pathways in such systems may be modeled as fluctuating hydrogen-bonded networks with both short- and long-lived connections between the networked nodes, the latter being formed by polar protein atoms and water molecules. It is known that these fluctuations may extend over several decades of time ranging from a few femtoseconds to a few milliseconds. We have shown in this article how the use of a variety of theoretical methods may be utilized to detect a generic set of pathways and assess the feasibility of forming one or more transient connections. We demonstrate the application of these methods to the enzyme human carbonic anhydrase II and its mutants. Our results reveal several alternative pathways in addition to the one mediated by His-64. We also probe at length the mechanism of key conformational fluctuations contributing to the formation of the detected pathways.     

Refined structure of human carbonic anhydrase II at 2.0 Å resolution

The structure of human erythrocytic carbonic anhydrase II has been refined by constrained and restrained structure–factor least-squares refinement at 2.0 Å resolution. The conventional crystallographic R value is 17.3%. Of 167 solvent molecules associated with the protein, four are buried and stabilize secondary structure elements. The zinc ion is ligated to three histidyl residues and one water molecule in a nearly tetrahedral geometry. In addition to the zinc-bound water, seven more water molecules are identified in the active site. Assuming that Glu-106 is deprotonated at pH 8.5, some of the hydrogen bond donor–acceptor relations in the active site can be assigned and are described here in detail. The Oγ1 atom of Thr-199 donates its proton to the Oε1 atom of Glu-106 and can function as a hydrogen bond acceptor only in additional hydrogen bonds.     

Binding of cyanide,cyanate, and thiocyanate to human carbonic anhydrase II

Computer simulation techniques are used to address the question of how cyanide and related ions interact with human carbonic anhydrase II (HCAII). Spectroscopic results have suggested that cyanide is coordinated with the zinc ion, while recent X-ray results suggest that the cyanide ion is noncovalently associated with the zinc–water or zinchydroxide form of the enzyme. We have carried out simulations on three models in an attempt to shed light on why the spectroscopic and X-ray results differ. The first model we studied (Model I) has cyanide directly coordinated to the zinc ion, the second has it noncovalently interacting with the zinc–hydroxide (high pH) form of the enzyme (Model II), and the third has cyanide noncovalently interacting with the zinc–water (low pH) form of the enzyme (Model III). None of these models is satisfactory in explaining the available structural data obtained from X-ray crystallography. This leads us to propose an alternative model, in which HCAII hydrates HCN to form an OH^?/HCN complex coordinated to the Zn ion. Ab initio calculations are consistent with this model. Based on these results we are able to explain the observed crystallographic behavior of cyanate and, by inference, thiocyanate. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Structural,catalytic and stabilizing consequences of aromatic cluster variants in human carbonic anhydrase II

The presence of aromatic clusters has been found to be an integral feature of many proteins isolated from thermophilic microorganisms. Residues found in aromatic cluster interact via π–π or C–H?π bonds between the phenyl rings, which are among the weakest interactions involved in protein stability. The lone aromatic cluster in human carbonic anhydrase II (HCA II) is centered on F226 with the surrounding aromatics F66, F95 and W97 located 12 Å posterior the active site; a location which could facilitate proper protein folding and active site construction. The role of F226 in the structure, catalytic activity and thermostability of HCA II was investigated via site-directed mutagenesis of three variants (F226I/L/W) into this position. The measured catalytic rates of the F226 variants via ¹⁸O-mass spectrometry were identical to the native enzyme, but differential scanning calorimetry studies revealed a 3–4 K decrease in their denaturing temperature. X-ray crystallographic analysis suggests that the structural basis of this destabilization is via disruption and/or removal of weak C–H?π interactions between F226 to F66, F95 and W97. This study emphasizes the importance of the delicate arrangement of these weak interactions among aromatic clusters in overall protein stability.     

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.     

Refined structure of the acetazolamide complex of human carbonic anhydrase II at 1.9 Å

The binding of acetazolamide to human carbonic anhydrase II (HCA II) has been investigated by X-ray crystallography. The atomic positions of the enzyme inhibitor complex have been refined at 1.9 Å resolution using the least squares refinement program package PROLSQ. The crystallographic R-factor is 17.6%. The bound inhibitor is clearly resolved in the active site of the enzyme. The acetazolamide amine group is bound as a fourth ligand to the zinc ion, the other three are all histidine residues. In addition to van der Waals' interactions and the previously described binding of the sulphonamide group, the inhibitor forms a hydrogen bond from the carbonyl oxygen of the acetylamido group to the amino group of Gln 92.     

Decreased total carbonic anhydrase esterase activity and decreased levels of carbonic anhydrase 1 isozyme in erythrocytes of type II diabetic patients

In this exploratory study, we investigated total erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase (CA) estrase activity as well as CA I isozyme concentration in patients with diabetes mellitus type II (DM) and healthy individuals of Howard University Hospital community. Total estrase activity of CA was measured spectrophotometrically using p-nitrophenol acetate before and after inhibition with acetazolamide. CA I isozyme was measured by radial immunodiffusion using monoclonal antibody (CA I) in agarose plates. The study involved 20 consented participants; 10 normal (N) and 10 (DM), 21 to 84 years of age. The study was approved by the Howard University Institution Review Board. The CA activity was measured following lysis of cells as U/min/mL and CA I concentration as mg/l. We observed CA activity as 46.3±4(N) and 25±2.1 (DM) whereas CA I concentration as 1896±125 (N) and 1104 ±63 (DM). We speculate that the change in the CA activity may of fundamental importance in the regulation of intracellular; pH_i for the basic control of metabolism in diabetes mellitus. Further, we propose that CA activity is a good candidate for a biomarker of diabetes mellitus for the early detection of insulin resistance because the CA activity variation was proportional to the severity of the diabetes. Jehan Ornasir—these studies were undertaken as a partial requirement of her M.S. Degree, Graduate School, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA     

Synthesis and characterization of some metal complexes of a proton transfer salt,and their inhibition studies on carbonic anhydrase isozymes and the evaluation of the results by statistical analysis

Abstract

A novel proton transfer compound (HMeOABT)?⁺?(HDPC)^? (1) and its Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes (2–5) have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Complex 4 has distorted octahedral conformation revealed by single crystal X-ray diffraction method. Structures of the other complexes might be proposed as octahedral according to experimental data. All compounds were also evaluated for their in vitro inhibition effects on hCA I and II for their hydratase and esterase activities. Although there is no inhibition for hydratase activities, all compounds have inhibited the esterase activities of hCA I and II. Data have been analyzed by using a one-way analysis of variance. The comparison of the inhibition studies of 1–5 to parent compounds indicates that 1–5 have superior inhibitory effects. The inhibition effects of 2–5 are also compared to inhibitory properties of the metal complexes of MeOABT and H2DPC, revealing an improved transfection profile.     

Inhibition properties of some flavonoids on carbonic anhydrase I and II isoenzymes purified from human erythrocytes

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, E.C.4.2.1.1) play a critical role in many important physiological events and treatment of some diseases. Flavonoids or phenolic compounds have been discovered as novel CAs inhibitors instead of the traditional sulfonamides, with different binding to CAs, pro‐drug activities, and new inhibition mechanisms. Here, we investigated the inhibition effects of some flavonoids including malvin, callistephin, oenin, pelargonin, silychristin, and 1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐methyl‐3‐nitro‐1‐H‐indol‐6‐ol (ID‐8) against hCA I and II, which purified from human erythrocytes by affinity column chromatography. Both hCA isoenzymes were inhibited by flavonoids, with IC₅₀ and K_i values in the range of 2.34 nM to 346.5 μM and 51.01–99.55 μM for hCA I and 86.60–750.00 μM for hCA II, respectively. These results showed that flavonoids especially malvin and oenin effectively inhibited hCA I and II isoenzymes. Hence, they may be used as an effective CA inhibitor in medical applications for treatment of certain diseases such as glaucoma, in the future.     

1H‐indazole molecules reduced the activity of human erythrocytes carbonic anhydrase I and II isoenzymes

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is an important metabolic enzyme family closely related to many physiological and pathological processes. Currently, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are the target molecules in the treatment and diagnosis of many diseases. In present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of some indazole molecules on the CA‐I and CA‐II isoenzymes isolated from human erythrocytes. We showed that human CA‐I and CA‐II activities were reduced by of some indazoles at low concentrations. IC₅₀ values, K_i constants, and inhibition types for each indazole molecule were determined. The indazoles showed K_i constants in a range of 0.383 ± 0.021 to 2.317 ± 0.644 mM, 0.409 ± 0.083 to 3.030 ± 0.711 mM against CA‐I and CA‐II, respectively. Each indazole molecule exhibited a noncompetitive inhibition effect. Bromine‐ and chlorine‐bonded indazoles were found to be more potent inhibitory effects on carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes. In conclusion, we conclude that these results may be useful in the synthesis of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.     

Kinetic and crystallographic studies of the role of tyrosine 7 in the active site of human carbonic anhydrase II

The rate limiting step in catalysis of bicarbonate dehydration by human carbonic anhydrase II (HCA II) is an intramolecular proton transfer from His64 to the zinc-bound hydroxide. We have examined the role of Tyr7 using site-specific mutagenesis and measuring catalysis by the ¹⁸O exchange method using membrane inlet mass spectrometry. The side chain of Tyr7 in HCA II extends into the active-site cavity about 7 Å from the catalytic zinc atom. Replacement of Tyr7 with eight other amino acids had no effect on the interconversion of bicarbonate and CO₂, but in some cases caused enhancements in the rate constant of proton transfer by nearly 10-fold. The variant Y7I HCA II enhanced intramolecular proton transfer approximately twofold; its structure was determined by X-ray crystallography at 1.5 Å resolution. No changes were observed in the ordered solvent structure in the active-site cavity or in the conformation of the side chain of the proton shuttle His64. However, the first 11 residues of the amino-terminal chain in Y7I HCA II assumed an alternate conformation compared with the wild type. Differential scanning calorimetry showed variants at position 7 had a melting temperature approximately 8 °C lower than that of the wild type.     

Virtual screening-driven identification of human carbonic anhydrase inhibitors incorporating an original, new pharmacophore

Combinated ligand- and pharmacophore-based virtual screening approaches were used to discover novel potential pharmacophores acting as carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors (CAIs). A free database of commercially available compounds was screened through drug-like filters using a four-point pharmacophore, and followed by docking calculation within the active site of an X-ray structure of isoform CA II. One compound, bearing a trifluoro-dihydroxy-propanone moiety, showed an interesting, selective inhibitory activity in low micromolar range against this isoform versus CA I. The chemical originality of this new pharmacophore can represent an important bioisosteric alternative to the sulfonamido-based functionalities, thus leading to the development of a new class of CAIs.