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

A simple yet multifaceted 90 years old, evergreen enzyme: Carbonic anhydrase, its inhibition and activation

Advances in the carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) research over the last three decades are presented, with an emphasis on the deciphering of the activation mechanism, the development of isoform-selective inhibitors/ activators by the tail approach and their applications in the management of obesity, hypoxic tumors, neurological conditions, and as antiinfectives.

An overview of novel antimicrobial carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

INTRODUCTION

Four different genetic families of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) are present in bacteria, α-, β-, γ- and ι-CAs. They play relevant functions related to CO2, HCO3-/H+ ions homeostasis, being involved in metabolic biosynthetic pathways, pH regulation, and represent virulence and survival factors for bacteria in various niches. Bacterial CAs started to be considered druggable targets in the last decade, as their inhibition impairs survival, growth, and virulence of these pathogens.

AREAS COVERED

Significant advances were registered in the last years for designing effective inhibitors of sulfonamide type for Helicobacter pylori α-CA, Neisseria gonorrhoeae α-CA, vacomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) α- and γ-CAs, for which the in vivo validation has also been achieved. MIC-s in the range of 0.25-4.0 µg/mL for wild type and drug resistant N. gonorrhoeae strains, and of 0.007-2.0 µg/mL for VRE were observed for some 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamides, and acetazolamide was effective in gut decolonization from VRE.

EXPERT OPINION

Targeting bacterial CAs from other pathogens, among which Vibrio cholerae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Brucella suis, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Legionella pneumophila, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Clostridium perfringens, Streptococcus mutans, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Francisella tularensis, Escherichia coli, Mammaliicoccus (Staphylococcus) sciuri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, may lead to novel antibacterials devoid of drug resistance problems.

Inhibition of α-, β- and γ-carbonic anhydrases from the pathogenic bacterium Vibrio cholerae with aromatic sulphonamides and clinically licenced drugs - a joint docking/molecular dynamics study

The binding mode of aromatic sulphonamides and clinically licenced drugs to the three carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms from the human pathogen V. cholerae was here thouroghly characterised by a joint docking and molecular dynamics in silico protocol. In fact, VchCA, VchCAβ, and VchCAγ are crucial in the pathogen life cycle and growth and represent innovative targets to fight V. cholerae proliferation overcoming the spreading chemoresistance to the available drugs. A set of 40 sulphonamides/sulfamates VchCAs inhibitors was studied using the proteins homology built 3 D models unveiling the key and stable interactions responsible for a potent CA inhibition. This study has the aim to offer insights and guidelines for the future rational design of potent and selective inhibitors targeting CA isoforms from V. cholerae or other human pathogens.

Antibacterial carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: an update on the recent literature

INTRODUCTION

The clinically licensed drugs used as antibiotics prevent the microbial growth interfering with the biosynthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, microorganism wall biosynthesis or wall permeability, and microbial metabolic pathways. A serious, emerging problem is the arisen of extensive drug resistance afflicting most countries worldwide.

AREAS COVERED

An exciting approach to fight drug resistance is the identification of essential enzymes encoded by pathogen genomes. Inhibition of such enzymes may impair microbial growth or virulence due to interference with crucial metabolic processes. Genome exploration of pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms has revealed carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) as possible antibacterial targets.

EXPERT OPINION

Balancing the equilibrium between CO₂ and HCO₃ ^- is essential for microbial metabolism and is regulated by at least four classes of CAs. Classical CA inhibitors (CAIs) such as ethoxzolamide were shown to kill the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori in vitro, whereas acetazolamide and some of its more lipophilic derivatives were shown to be effective against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp., with MICs in the range of 0.007-2 µg/mL, better than linezolid, the only clinically used agent available to date. Such results reinforce the rationale of considering existing and newly designed CAIs as antibacterials with an alternative mechanism of action.

Carbonic Anhydrase from Porphyromonas Gingivalis as a Drug Target

Periodontitis originates from a microbial synergy causing the development of a mouth microbial imbalance (dysbiosis), consisting of a microbial community composed of anaerobic bacteria. Most studies concerning the treatment of periodontitis have primarily take into account the Gram-negative bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis, because it is a prominent component of the oral microbiome and a successful colonizer of the oral epithelium. Here, we focus our attention on the study of the carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) encoded in the genome of this pathogen as a possible drug target. Carbonic anhydrases are a superfamily of metalloenzymes, which catalyze the simple but physiologically crucial reaction of carbon dioxide hydration to bicarbonate and protons. Bacterial CAs have attracted significant attention for affecting the survival, invasion, and pathogenicity of many microorganisms. The P. gingivalis genome encodes for two CAs belonging to β-CA (PgiCAβ) and γ-CA (PgiCAγ) families. These two enzymes were cloned, heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified to homogeneity. Moreover, they were subject to extensive inhibition studies using the classical CA inhibitors (sulfonamides and anions) with the aim of identifying selective inhibitors of PgiCAβ and PgiCAγ to be used as pharmacological tools for P. gingivalis eradication.

Sulfonamide inhibition profile of the γ-carbonic anhydrase identified in the genome of the pathogenic bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei the etiological agent responsible of melioidosis

A new γ-carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.1.1.1) was cloned and characterized kinetically in the genome of the bacterial pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei, the etiological agent of melioidosis, an endemic disease of tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. The catalytic activity of this new enzyme, BpsCAγ, is significant with a k_cat of 5.3×10⁵s^-1 and k_cat/K_m of 2.5×10⁷M^-1×s^-1 for the physiologic CO₂ hydration reaction. The inhibition constant value for this enzyme for 39 sulfonamide inhibitors was obtained. Acetazolamide, benzolamide and metanilamide were the most effective (K_Is of 149-653nM) inhibitors of BpsCAγ activity, whereas other sulfonamides/sulfamates such as ethoxzolamide, topiramate, sulpiride, indisulam, sulthiame and saccharin were active in the micromolar range (K_Is of 1.27-9.56μM). As Burkholderia pseudomallei is resistant to many classical antibiotics, identifying compounds that interfere with crucial enzymes in the B. pseudomallei life cycle may lead to antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action.

Anion inhibition profiles of the γ-carbonic anhydrase from the pathogenic bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei responsible of melioidosis and highly drug resistant to common antibiotics

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a Gram-negative saprophytic bacterium responsible of melioidosis, an endemic disease of tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. A recombinant γ-CA (BpsγCA) identified in the genome of this bacterium was cloned and purified. Its catalytic activity and anion inhibition profiles were investigated. The enzyme was an efficient catalyst for the CO₂ hydration showing a k_cat of 5.3×10⁵s^-1 and k_cat/K_m of 2.5×10⁷M^-1×s^-1. The best BpsγCA inhibitors were sulfamide, sulfamic acid, phenylboronic acid and phenylarsonic acid, which showed K_I in the range of 49-83μM (these inhibitors showed millimolar inhibition constant against hCA II), followed by diethyldithiocarbamate, selenate, tellurate, perrhenate, selenocyanate, trithiocarbonate, tetraborato, pyrophosphate, stannate, carbonate, bicarbonate, azide, cyanide, thiocyanate and cyanate with K_Is in the range of 0.55-9.1mM. In our laboratories, work is in progress to resolve the X-ray crystal structures of BpsγCA, which may allow the development of small molecule inhibitors with desired properties for targeting and inhibiting specifically the bacterial over the human CAs, considering the fact that B. pseudomallei is involved in a serious bacterial disease.

Cloning, expression and purification of the complete domain of the η-carbonic anhydrase from Plasmodium falciparum

The antimalarial drugs are of fundamental importance in the control of malaria, especially for the lack of efficient treatments and acquired resistance to the existing drugs. For this reason, there is a continuous work in identifying novel, less toxic and effective chemotherapies as well as new therapeutic targets against the causative agents of malaria. In this context, a superfamily of metalloenzymes named carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) has aroused a great interest as druggable enzymes to limit the development of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. CAs catalyze a common reaction in all life domains, the carbon dioxide hydration to bicarbonate and protons (CO₂ + H₂O ⇔ HCO₃^- + H⁺). P. falciparum synthesizes pyrimidines de novo starting from HCO₃^-, which is generated from CO₂ through the action of the η-CA identified in the genome of the protozoan. Here, we propose a procedure for the preparation of a wider portion of the protozoan η-CA, named PfCAdom (358 amino acid residues), with respect to the truncated form prepared by Krungkrai et al. (PfCA1, 235 amino acid residues). The results evidenced that the recombinant PfCAdom, produced as a His-tag fusion protein, was 2.7 times more active with respect the truncated form PfCA1.

Anion inhibition profiles of the complete domain of the η-carbonic anhydrase from Plasmodium falciparum

We have cloned, purified and investigated the catalytic activity and anion inhibition profiles of a full catalytic domain (358 amino acid residues) carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) from Plasmodium falciparum, PfCAdom, an enzyme belonging to the η-CA class and identified in the genome of the malaria-producing protozoa. A truncated such enzyme, PfCA1, containing 235 residues was investigated earlier for its catalytic and inhibition profiles. The two enzymes were efficient catalysts for CO2 hydration: PfCAdom showed a kcat of 3.8×10(5)s(-1) and kcat/Km of 7.2×10(7)M(-1)×s(-1), whereas PfCA showed a lower activity compared to PfCAdom, with a kcat of 1.4×10(5)s(-1) and kcat/Km of 5.4×10(6)M(-1)×s(-1). PfCAdom was generally less inhibited by most anions and small molecules compared to PfCA1. The best PfCAdom inhibitors were sulfamide, sulfamic acid, phenylboronic acid and phenylarsonic acid, which showed KIs in the range of 9-68μM, followed by bicarbonate, hydrogensulfide, stannate and N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate, which were submillimolar inhibitors, with KIs in the range of 0.53-0.97mM. Malaria parasites CA inhibition was proposed as a new strategy to develop antimalarial drugs, with a novel mechanism of action.

New light on bacterial carbonic anhydrases phylogeny based on the analysis of signal peptide sequences

Among protein families, carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) are metalloenzymes characterized by a common reaction mechanism in all life domains: the carbon dioxide hydration to bicarbonate and protons (CO2+H2O ⇔ HCO3(-)+H(+)). Six genetically distinct CA families are known to date, the α-, β-, γ-, δ-, ζ- and η-CAs. The last CA class was recently discovered analyzing the amino acid sequences of CAs from Plasmodia. Bacteria encode for enzymes belonging to the α-, β-, and γ-CA classes and recently, phylogenetic analysis revealed an interesting relationship regarding the evolution of bacterial CA classes. This result evidenced that the three bacterial CA classes, in spite of the high level of the structural similarity, are evolutionarily distinct, but we noted that the primary structure of some β-CAs identified in the genome of Gram-negative bacteria present a pre-sequence of 18 or more amino acid residues at the N-terminal part. These observations and subsequent phylogenetic data presented here prompted us to propose that the β-CAs found in Gram-negative bacteria with a periplasmic space and characterized by the presence of a signal peptide might have a periplasmic localization and a role similar to that described previously for the α-CAs.

Anion inhibition profiles of α-, β- and γ-carbonic anhydrases from the pathogenic bacterium Vibrio cholerae

Among the numerous metalloenzymes known to date, carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) was the first zinc containing one, being discovered decades ago. CA is a hydro-lyase, which catalyzes the following hydration-dehydration reaction: CO2+H2O⇋HCO3(-)+H(+). Several CA classes are presently known, including the α-, β-, γ-, δ-, ζ- and η-CAs. In prokaryotes, the existence of genes encoding CAs from at least three classes (α-, β- and γ-class) suggests that these enzymes play a key role in the physiology of these organisms. In many bacteria CAs are essential for the life cycle of microbes and their inhibition leads to growth impairment or growth defects of the pathogen. CAs thus started to be investigated in detail in bacteria, fungi and protozoa with the aim to identify antiinfectives with a novel mechanism of action. Here, we investigated the catalytic activity, biochemical properties and anion inhibition profiles of the three CAs from the bacterial pathogen Vibrio cholera, VchCA, VchCAβ and VchCAγ. The three enzymes are efficient catalysts for CO2 hydration, with kcat values ranging between (3.4-8.23)×10(5)s(-1) and kcat/KM of (4.1-7.0)×10(7)M(-1)s(-1). A set of inorganic anions and small molecules was investigated for inhibition of these enzymes. The most potent VchCAγ inhibitors were N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate, sulfamate, sulfamide, phenylboronic acid and phenylarsonic acid, with KI values ranging between 44 and 91μM.

Sulfonamide inhibition studies of the α-carbonic anhydrase from the gammaproteobacterium Thiomicrospira crunogena XCL-2, TcruCA

We report a sulfonamide/sulfamate inhibition study of the α-carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) present in the gammaproteobacterium Thiomicrospira crunogena XCL-2, a mesophilic hydrothermal vent-isolate organism, TcruCA. As Thiomicrospira crunogena is one of thousands of marine organisms that uses CA for metabolic regulation, the effect of sulfonamide inhibition has been considered. Sulfonamide-based drugs have been widely used in a variety of antibiotics, and bioelimination of these compounds results in exposure of these compounds to marine life. The enzyme was highly inhibited, with Ki values ranging from 2.5 to 40.7nM by a variety of sulfonamides including acetazolamide, methazolamide, ethoxzolamide, dichlorophenamide, dorzolamide, brinzolamide, benzolamide and benzenesulfonamides incorporating 4-hydroxyalkyl moieties. Less effective inhibitors were topiramate, zonisamide, celecoxib, saccharin and hydrochlorothiazide as well as simple benzenesulfonamides incorporating amino, halogeno, alkyl, aminoalkyl and other moieties in the ortho- or para-positions of the aromatic ring (Kis of 202-933nM). The active site interactions between TcruCA and three clinically-used CA inhibitors, acetazolamide (Diamox®), dorzolamide (Trusopt®), and brinzolamide (Azopt®) are studied using molecular docking to provide insight into the reported Ki values. Comparison between various enzymes belonging to this family may also bring interesting hints in these fascinating phenomena.

Cloning, characterization and anion inhibition studies of a γ-carbonic anhydrase from the Antarctic bacterium Colwellia psychrerythraea

We have cloned, purified and characterized the γ-carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) present in the genome of the Antarctic bacterium Colwellia psychrerythraea, which is an obligate psychrophile. The enzyme shows a significant catalytic activity for the physiologic reaction of CO2 hydration to bicarbonate and protons, with the following kinetic parameters: kcat of 6.0×10(5)s(-1) and a kcat/Km of 4.7×10(6)M(-1)×s(-1). This activity was inhibited by the sulfonamide CA inhibitor (CAI) acetazolamide, with a KI of 502nM. A range of anions was also investigated for their inhibitory action against the new enzyme CpsCA. Perchlorate, tetrafluoroborate, fluoride and bromide were not inhibitory, whereas cyanate, thiocyanate, cyanide, hydrogensulfide, carbonate and bicarbonate showed KIs in the range of 1.4-4.4mM. Diethyldithiocarbamate was a better inhibitor (KI of 0.58mM) whereas sulfamide, sulfamate, phenylboronic acid and phenylarsonic acid were the most effective inhibitors detected, with KIs ranging between 8 and 38μM. The present study may shed some more light regarding the role that γ-CAs play in the life cycle of psychrophilic bacteria as the Antarctic one investigated here.

Poly(amidoamine) dendrimers show carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity against α-, β-, γ- and η-class enzymes

Four generations of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers incorporating benzenesulfonamide moieties were investigated as inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) belonging to the α-, β-, γ- and η-classes which are present in pathogenic bacteria, fungi or protozoa. The following bacterial, fungal and protozoan organisms were included in the study: Vibrio cholerae, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani chagasi, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida glabrata, and Plasmodium falciparum. The eight pathozymes present in these organisms were efficiently inhibited by the four generations PAMAM-sulfonamide dendrimers, but multivalency effects were highly variable among the different enzyme classes. The Vibrio enzyme VchCA was best inhibited by the G3 dendrimer incorporating 32 sulfamoyl moieties. The Trypanosoma enzyme TcCA on the other hand was best inhibited by the first generation dendrimer G0 (with 4 sulfamoyl groups), whereas for other enzymes the optimal inhibitory power was observed for the G1 or G2 dendrimers, with 8 and 16 sulfonamide functionalities. This study thus proves that the multivalency may be highly relevant for enzyme inhibition for some but not all CAs from pathogenic organisms. On the other hand, some dendrimers investigated here showed a better inhibitory power compared to acetazolamide for enzymes from widespread pathogens, such as the η-CA from Plasmodium falciparum. Overall, the main conclusion is that this class of molecules may lead to important developments in the field of anti-infective CA inhibitors.

Ascaris lumbricoides β carbonic anhydrase: a potential target enzyme for treatment of ascariasis

BACKGROUND

A parasitic roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, is the causative agent of ascariasis, with approximately 760 million cases around the world. Helminthic infections occur with a high prevalence mostly in tropical and developing xcountries. Therefore, design of affordable broad-spectrum anti-helminthic agents against a variety of pathogens, including not only A. lumbricoides but also hookworms and whipworms, is desirable. Beta carbonic anhydrases (β-CAs) are considered promising targets of novel anthelminthics because these enzymes are present in various parasites, while completely absent in vertebrates.

METHODS

In this study, we identified an A. lumbricoides β-CA (AIBCA) protein from protein sequence data using bioinformatics tools. We used computational biology resources and methods (including InterPro, CATH/Gene3D, KEGG, and METACYC) to analyze AlBCA and define potential roles of this enzyme in biological pathways. The AlBCA gene was cloned into pFastBac1, and recombinant AIBCA was produced in sf-9 insect cells. Kinetics of AlBCA were analyzed by a stopped-flow method.

RESULTS

Multiple sequence alignment revealed that AIBCA contains the two sequence motifs, CXDXR and HXXC, typical for β-CAs. Recombinant AIBCA showed significant CA catalytic activity with kcat of 6.0 × 10(5) s(-1) and kcat/KM of 4.3 × 10(7) M(-1) s(-1). The classical CA inhibitor, acetazolamide, showed an inhibition constant of 84.1 nM. Computational modeling suggests that the molecular architecture of AIBCA is highly similar to several other known β-CA structures. Functional predictions suggest that AIBCA might play a role in bicarbonate-mediated metabolic pathways, such as gluconeogenesis and removal of metabolically produced cyanate.

CONCLUSIONS

These results open new avenues to further investigate the precise functions of β-CAs in parasites and suggest that novel β-CA specific inhibitors should be developed and tested against helminthic diseases.

Bacterial, fungal and protozoan carbonic anhydrases as drug targets

INTRODUCTION

The carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1), a group of ubiquitously expressed metalloenzymes, are involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes, as well as in the growth and virulence of pathogens belonging to bacteria, fungi and protozoa.

AREAS COVERED

CAs belonging to at least four genetic families, the α-, β-, γ- and η-CAs, were discovered and characterized in many pathogens: i) Bacteria encode enzymes from one or more such families, which were investigated as potential drug targets. Inhibition of bacterial CAs by sulfonamides/phenol derivatives lead to inhibition of growth of the pathogen for Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Brucella suis; ii) Fungi encode for α- and β-CAs, and inhibitors of the sulfonamide, thiol or dithiocarbamate type inhibited the growth of some of them (Malassezia globosa, Candida albicans, Crytpococcus neoformans, etc) in vivo; and iii) Protozoa encode α-, β- or η-CAs. Sulfonamide, thiols and hydroxamates effectively killed such parasites (Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani chagasi, Plasmodium falciparum) in vivo.

EXPERT OPINION

None of the microorganism CAs is validated as drug targets as yet, but the inhibitors designed against many such enzymes showed interesting in vitro/in vivo results. By interfering with the activity of CAs from microorganisms, both pH homeostasis as well as crucial biosynthetic reactions are impaired, which lead to significant antiinfective effects, not yet exploited for obtaining pharmacological agents. As resistance to the clinically used antiinfectives is a serious healthcare problem worldwide, inhibition of parasite CAs may constitute an alternative approach for obtaining such agents with novel mechanisms of action.

Sulfonamide inhibition studies of the γ-carbonic anhydrase from the Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis

The Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis encodes for a γ-class carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), which was cloned, purified and characterized. The enzyme (PhaCAγ) has a good catalytic activity for the physiologic reaction of CO2 hydration to bicarbonate and protons, with a k(cat) of 1.4×10(5) s(-1) and a k(cat)/K(m) of 1.9×10(6) M(-1)×s(-1). A series of sulfonamides and a sulfamate were investigated as inhibitors of the new enzyme. Methazolamide and indisulam showed the best inhibitory properties (K(I)s of 86.7-94.7 nM). This contribution shed new light on γ-CAs inhibition profiles with a relevant class of pharmacologic agents.

Dendrimers incorporating benzenesulfonamide moieties strongly inhibit carbonic anhydrase isoforms I-XIV

As extension of our previous study herein we report a comprehensive investigation of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers as modulators of the human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms I-XIV. Interestingly inhibitory activity was observed for the non-functionalized dendrimers against the hCA I, VII, IX, XII and XIV isoforms, whereas activation properties were reported only for the cytosolic abundant hCA II. Highly efficient inhibitory action against many isoforms having medicinal chemistry applications, such as hCA II, V, VII, IX, XII and XIV, was observed for the PAMAM functionalized counterparts bearing 4, 8, 16 and 32 benzenesulfonamide moieties. Possible applications of dendrimer-CA inhibitors as therapeutic/diagnostic agents are envisaged.

Cloning, characterization and anion inhibition studies of a new γ-carbonic anhydrase from the Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis

A new γ-class carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) was cloned, purified and characterized from the Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis, PhaCAγ. The enzyme has a medium-low catalytic activity for the physiologic reaction of CO2 hydration to bicarbonate and protons, with a kcat of 1.4×10(5)s(-1) and a kcat/Km of 1.9×10(6)M(-1)s(-1). An anion inhibition study of PhaCAγ with inorganic anions and small molecule inhibitors is also reported. Many anions present in sea water, such as chloride, fluoride, sulfate, iodide, but also others such as azide, perchlorate and tetrafluoroborate did not inhibit this enzyme. Pseudohalides such as cyanate, thiocyanate, cyanide, selenocyanide, and also bicarbonate, nitrate, nitrite and many complex inorganic anions showed inhibition in the millimolar range (KI in the range of 1.7-9.3mM). The best PhaCAγ inhibitors detected in this study were diethyldithiocarbamate (KI of 0.96 mM) as well as sulfamide, sulfamate, phenylboronic acid and phenylarsonic acid (KI in the range of 82-91 μM). Since γ-CAs are poorly understood at this moment, being present in carboxysomes and thus involved in photosynthesis, this study may be relevant for a better understanding of these processes in Antarctic bacteria/cyanobacteria.

Structure and inhibition studies of a type II beta-carbonic anhydrase psCA3 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are metallo-enzymes that catalyze the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide into bicarbonate and a proton. The β-class CAs (β-CAs) are expressed in prokaryotes, fungi, plants, and more recently have been isolated in some animals. The β-CA class is divided into two subclasses, termed type I and II, defined by pH catalytic activity profile and active site structural configuration. Type I β-CAs display catalytic activity over a broad pH range (6.5-9.0) with the active site zinc tetrahedrally coordinated by three amino acids and a hydroxide/water. In contrast, type II β-CAs are catalytically active only at a pH 8 and higher where they adopt a functional active site configuration like that of type I. However, below pH 8 they are conformationally self-inactivated by the addition of a fourth amino acid coordinating the zinc and thereby displacing the zinc bound solvent. We have determined the structure of psCA3, a type II β-CA, isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) PAO1 at pH 8.3, in its open active state to a resolution of 1.9 Å. The active site zinc is coordinated by Cys42, His98, Cys101 and a water/hydroxide molecule. P. aeruginosa is a multi-drug resistant bacterium and displays intrinsic resistance to most of the currently used antibiotics; therefore, there is a need for new antibacterial targets. Kinetic data confirm that psCA3 belongs to the type II subclass and that sulfamide, sulfamic acid, phenylboronic acid and phenylarsonic acid are micromolar inhibitors. In vivo studies identified that among six tested inhibitors representing sulfonamides, inorganic anions, and small molecules, acetazolamide has the most significant dose-dependent inhibitory effect on P. aeruginosa growth.

Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimers with Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitory Activity and Antiglaucoma Action

Four generations of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers decorated with benzenesulfonamide moieties were prepared by derivatizing the amino groups of the dendrimer with 4-carboxy-benzenesulfonamide functionalities. Compounds incorporating 4, 8, 16, and 32 sulfonamide moieties were thus obtained, which showed an increasing carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitory action with the increase of the number of sulfamoyl groups in the dendrimer. Best inhibitory activity (in the low nanomolar-subnanomolar range) was observed for isoforms CA II and XII, involved among others in glaucoma. In an animal model of this disease, the chronic administration of such dendrimers for 5 days led to a much more efficient drop of intraocular pressure compared to the standard drug dorzolamide.

Protonography, a powerful tool for analyzing the activity and the oligomeric state of the γ-carbonic anhydrase identified in the genome of Porphyromonas gingivalis

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) are metalloenzymes, mostly containing zinc within their active site, which catalyze a simple but physiologically relevant reaction in all life kingdoms, carbon dioxide hydration to bicarbonate and protons. Six CA classes (α, β, γ, δ, ζ and η) and multiple CA isoforms evolved in organisms all over the phylogenetic tree, for facing the need to efficiently convert high amounts of CO2 to its hydration products. These enzymes are thus involved in many physiologic processes, such as photosynthesis, respiration, CO2 transport, electrolyte secretion in many tissues/organs; biosynthetic reactions (gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis, ureagenesis), etc. Recently, our group reported a new technique to assay CA activity on SDS-PAGE gels, named 'protonography' due to its similarity to zymography. By using protonography, the conversion of CO2 into protons can be visualized as a yellow band on a polyacrylamide gel. By using this technique we demonstrated the possibility to detect activity of the α-CA from Vibrio cholerae as well as the β- and γ-CAs present in Escherichia coli extracts. Furthermore, the activity of the newly discovered η-class enzyme from Plasmodium falciparum has also been evidenced with protonography, illustrating its wide use. Here we show that protonography can be also useful to reveal the oligomeric state of the γ-CA identified in the genome of the bacterial parasite colonizing the oral cavity, Porphyromonas gingivalis, possibly allowing for a simple and efficient diagnostic method.

Sulfonamide inhibition studies of the γ-carbonic anhydrase from the Antarctic cyanobacterium Nostoc commune

A carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) belonging to the γ-class has been cloned, purified and characterized from the Antarctic cyanobacterium Nostoc commune. The enzyme showed a good catalytic activity for the physiologic reaction (hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate and a proton) with the following kinetic parameters, kcat of 9.5×10(5)s(-1) and kcat/KM of 8.3×10(7)M(-1)s(-1), being the γ-CA with the highest catalytic activity described so far. A range of aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamides and one sulfamate were investigated as inhibitors of the new enzyme, denominated here NcoCA. The best NcoCA inhibitors were some sulfonylated sulfanilamide derivatives possessing elongated molecules, aminobenzolamide, acetazolamide, benzolamide, dorzolamide, brinzolamide and topiramate, which showed inhibition constants in the range of 40.3-92.3nM. As 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) and γ-CAs are closely associated in carboxysomes of cyanobacteria for enhancing the affinity of RubisCO for CO2 and the efficiency of photosynthesis, investigation of this new enzyme and its affinity for modulators of its activity may bring new insights in these crucial processes.

The zinc coordination pattern in the η-carbonic anhydrase from Plasmodium falciparum is different from all other carbonic anhydrase genetic families

In this Letter we reinvestigate the sequence analysis and report a homology model of the carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) from the protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum, recently reported by us to belong to a new genetic family, the η-CA class. Our findings show that the metal ion coordination pattern of this CA is unique among all five other genetic families encoding for such enzymes, comprising two His and one Gln residues, in addition to the water molecule/hydroxide ion acting as nucleophile in the catalytic cycle. Although the η- and α-CAs present the same 3D fold, strongly suggesting the first ones to be evolutionary derived from the last, there are significant differences between the two families to allow optimism for the drug design of selective inhibitors for the parasite over the host enzymes. The preliminary studies reported here are relevant for drug design campaigns of anti-plasmodium CA inhibitors but further work by X-ray crystallography should validate the proposed model.

Protonography, a technique applicable for the analysis of η-carbonic anhydrase activity

Protonography, a sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) technique derived from zymography was recently reported by our group to be an effective, cheap and reproducible technique for evidencing catalytically active α-carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms, such as the bovine red blood cell isoform bCA or the bacterial enzyme from Vibrio cholerae, VchCA. CA activity was also observed on the protonogram of a cellular extract of Escherichia coli, evidencing the presence of one or more β-class such enzymes. Here we show that protonography can also be applied to the recently discovered η-CA family using the Plasmodium falciparum enzyme PfCA as an example. The protonogram of PfCA clearly showed catalytically active η-CA with a specific band at 22.0 kDa, which was quite distinct from the band of the red blood cell bovine enzyme bCA, which was observed at 28.8 kDa. The different migration pattern of α- and η-CAs might be a useful tool to detect Plasmodium falciparum in infected human red blood cells by an easy, routine inexpensive technique.

The η-class carbonic anhydrases as drug targets for antimalarial agents

INTRODUCTION

The η-class of carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) was recently discovered as the sixth genetic family of this metalloenzyme superfamily, and seems to be present only in various Plasmodium species, the malaria-provoking pathogens. The present review through detailed biochemical, kinetic and phylogenetic studies afford a clear view regarding the differences between η- and the other CA families.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the authors underlined as the η-CAs, like α-, γ- and δ-class enzymes, have the Zn(II) ion coordinated by three histidine residues and a water molecule. They seem to be more closely related to the α-CAs, but there are notable differences between them, such as the lack of the proton shuttle residue (His64) and gatekeeper residues, Glu106 and Thr199 in the η-CAs, which are conserved in all α-CAs.

EXPERT OPINION

Plasmodium falciparum η-CA showed a moderate but significant activity for the CO2 hydration reaction, with a kcat of 1.4 × 10(5)s(-1) and a kcat/Km of 5.4 × 10(6) M(-1) × s(-1). Several inhibition studies with anions and sulfonamides/sulfamates, allowed the identification of interesting lead compounds. The discovery of η-CA-specific inhibitors may lead to novel such agents with a new mechanism of action.