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Andrea Scozzafava

Publications and source records attributed to Andrea Scozzafava.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. DNA cloning, characterization, and inhibition studies of the human secretory isoform VI, a new target for sulfonamide and sulfamate inhibitors.

The secretory isozyme of human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1), hCA VI, has been cloned, expressed, and purified in a bacterial expression system. The kinetic parameters for the CO2 hydration reaction proved hCA VI to possess a kcat of 3.4 x 10(5) s-1 and kcat/KM of 4.9 x 10(7) M-1 s-1 (at pH 7.5 and 20 degrees C). hCA VI has a significant catalytic activity for the physiological reaction on the same order of magnitude as the ubiquitous isoform CA I or the transmembrane, tumor-associated isozyme CA IX. A series of sulfonamides and one sulfamate have been tested for their interaction with this isozyme. Simple benzenesulfonamides were rather ineffective hCA VI inhibitors, with inhibition constants in the range of 1090-6680 nM. Better inhibitors were detected among such derivatives bearing 2- or 4-amino-, 4-aminomethyl-, or 4-hydroxymethyl moieties or among halogenated sulfanilamides (KI values of 608-955 nM). Some clinically used compounds, such as acetazolamide, methazolamide, ethoxzolamide, dichlorophenamide, dorzolamide, brinzolamide, topiramate, sulpiride, and indisulam, or the orphan drug benzolamide, showed effective hCA VI inhibitory activity, with inhibition constants of 0.8-79 nM. The best inhibitors were brinzolamide and sulpiride (KI values of 0.8-0.9 nM), the latter compound being also a CA VI-selective inhibitor. The metallic taste reported as a side effect after the treatment with systemic sulfonamides may be due to the inhibition of the salivary CA VI. Some of the compounds investigated in this study might be used as additives in toothpastes for reducing the acidification produced by the relevant CO2 hydrase activity of enamel CA VI, which leads to the formation of protons and bicarbonate and may have a role in cariogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Carbonic anhydrase activators: an activation study of the human mitochondrial isoforms VA and VB with amino acids and amines.

The mitochondrial isozymes of human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1), hCA VA and hCA VB, were investigated for activation with a series of amino acids and amines. D-His, L-DOPA, histamine, dopamine, and 4-(2-aminoethyl)morpholine were excellent hCA VA activators, with KAs in the range of 10-130 nM. Good hCA VB activating effects were identified for L-His, D-Phe, D-DOPA, L-Trp, L-Tyr, serotonin, and 2-(2-aminoethyl)-pyridine, with KAs in the range of 44-110 nM. All these activators enhanced kcat, having no effect on KM, favoring thus the rate-determining step in the catalytic cycle, the proton transfer reactions between the active site and environment. The activation pattern of the two mitochondrial isoforms is very different from each other and as compared to those of the cytosolic isoforms hCA I and II.

Amines↗

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: clash with Ala65 as a means for designing inhibitors with low affinity for the ubiquitous isozyme II, exemplified by the crystal structure of the topiramate sulfamide analogue.

The sulfamide analogue of the antiepileptic drug topiramate is a 210 times less potent inhibitor of isozyme II of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) compared to topiramate but effectively inhibits isozymes CA VA, VB, VII, XIII, and XIV (KI in the range of 21-35 nM). Its weak binding to CA II is due to a clash between one methyl group of the inhibitor and Ala65 and may be exploited for the drug design of compounds with lower affinity for this ubiquitous isozyme, as Ala65 is unique to CA II. As shown by X-ray crystallography, the sulfamide analogue binds to CA II with the deprotonated sulfamide moiety coordinated to Zn(II) and with the organic scaffold making an extended network of hydrogen bonds with Thr199, Gln92, His94, Asn62, and Thr200. Its binding to this isozyme is more similar to that of topiramate and quite different from that of the topiramate cyclic sulfate analogue RWJ-37947.

Alanine↗

Carbonic anhydrase activators: L-Adrenaline plugs the active site entrance of isozyme II, activating better isoforms I, IV, VA, VII, and XIV.

The activation of the metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) with L-adrenaline and histamine has been investigated by kinetic and X-ray crystallographic studies. L-Adrenaline behaves as a potent activator of isozyme CA I (activation constant of 90 nM), being a much weaker activator of isozyme CA II (activation constant of 96 microM). Isoforms CA IV, VA, VII, and XIV were activated by L-adrenaline with K(A)s in the range of 36-63 microM. The X-ray crystal structure of the CA II-L-adrenaline adduct revealed that the activator plugs the entrance of the active site cavity, obstructing it almost completely.

Binding Sites↗

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Inhibition studies of the human secretory isoform VI with anions.

The unique secretory isozyme of human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1), hCA VI, has been cloned, expressed, and purified. The kinetic parameters for the CO(2) hydration reaction proved hCA VI to possess a k(cat) of 3.4x10(5)s(-1) and k(cat)/K(M) of 4.9x10(7)M(-1)s(-1) (at pH 7.5 and 20 degrees C). hCA VI has a significant catalytic activity for the physiological reaction, of the same order of magnitude as isoforms CA I or CA IX. A series of anions (such as bicarbonate, chloride, nitrate, etc.) were shown to inhibit the activity of the enzyme, with inhibition constants typically in the range of 0.60-0.90mM. The best hCA VI inhibitors were cyanide, azide, sulfamide, and sulfamate, with inhibition constants in the range of 70-90microM.

Acetazolamide↗

ESI mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction studies of adducts between anticancer platinum drugs and hen egg white lysozyme.

The interactions of cisplatin and its analogues, transplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin, with hen egg white lysozyme were analysed through ESI mass spectrometry, and the resulting metallodrug-protein adducts identified; the X-ray crystal structure of the cisplatin lysozyme derivative, solved at 1.9 A resolution, reveals selective platination of imidazole Nepsilon of His15.

Animals↗

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: X-ray crystallographic studies for the binding of 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide and 5-(4-amino-3-chloro-5-fluorophenylsulfonamido)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide to human isoform II.

The X-ray crystal structures of 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide (the acetazolamide precursor) and 5-(4-amino-3-chloro-5-fluorophenylsulfonamido)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide in complex with the human isozyme II of carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) are reported. The thiadiazole-sulfonamide moiety of the two compounds binds in the canonic manner to the zinc ion and interacts with Thr199, Glu106, and Thr200. The substituted phenyl tail of the second inhibitor was positioned in the hydrophobic part of the binding pocket, at van der Waals distance from Phe131, Val 135, Val141, Leu198, Pro202, and Leu204. These structures may help in the design of better inhibitors of these widespread zinc-containing enzymes.

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors↗

Carbonic anhydrase activators. Activation of isozymes I, II, IV, VA, VII, and XIV with l- and d-histidine and crystallographic analysis of their adducts with isoform II: engineering proton-transfer processes within the active site of an enzyme.

Activation of six human carbonic anhydrases (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), that is, hCA I, II, IV, VA, VII, and XIV, with l- and d-histidine was investigated through kinetics and by X-ray crystallography. l-His was a potent activator of isozymes I, VA, VII, and XIV, and a weaker activator of hCA II and IV. d-His showed good hCA I, VA, and VII activation properties, being a moderate activator of hCA XIV and a weak activator of hCA II and IV. The structures as determined by X-ray crystallography of the hCA II-l-His/d-His adducts showed the activators to be anchored at the entrance of the active site, contributing to extended networks of hydrogen bonds with amino acid residues/water molecules present in the cavity, explaining their different potency and interaction patterns with various isozymes. The residues involved in l-His recognition were His64, Asn67, Gln92, whereas three water molecules connected the activator to the zinc-bound hydroxide. Only the imidazole moiety of l-His interacted with these amino acids. For the d-His adduct, the residues involved in recognition of the activator were Trp5, His64, and Pro201, whereas two water molecules connected the zinc-bound water to the activator. Only the COOH and NH(2) moieties of d-His participated in hydrogen bonds with these residues. This is the first study showing different binding modes of stereoisomeric activators within the hCA II active site, with consequences for overall proton-transfer processes (rate-determining for the catalytic cycle). The study also points out differences of activation efficiency between various isozymes with structurally related activators, convenient for designing alternative proton-transfer pathways, useful both for a better understanding of the catalytic mechanism and for obtaining pharmacologically useful derivatives, for example, for the management of Alzheimer's disease.

Binding Sites↗

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Hypoxia-activatable sulfonamides incorporating disulfide bonds that target the tumor-associated isoform IX.

An approach for designing bioreductive, hypoxia-activatable carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors targeting the tumor-associated isoforms is reported. Sulfonamides incorporating 3,3'-dithiodipropionamide/2,2'-dithiodibenzamido moieties were prepared and reduced enzymatically/chemically in conditions present in hypoxic tumors, leading to thiols. The X-ray crystal structure of the most promising compound, 4-(2-mercaptophenylcarboxamido)benzenesulfonamide, which as disulfide showed a K(I) against hCA IX of 653 nM (in reduced form of 9.1 nM), in adduct with hCA II showed the inhibitor making favorable interactions with Gln92, Val121, Phe131, Leu198, Thr199, Thr200, Pro201, and Pro202, whereas the sulfamoyl moiety was coordinated to the Zn2+ ion. The same interactions were preserved in the adduct with hCA IX, but in addition, a hydrogen bond between the SH moiety of the inhibitor and the amide nitrogen of Gln67 was evidenced, which may explain the almost 2 times more effective inhibition of the tumor-associated isozyme over the cytosolic isoform.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Carbonic anhydrase activators: the first X-ray crystallographic study of an adduct of isoform I.

The X-ray crystallographic structure for the adduct of an activator with human carbonic anhydrase isozyme I (hCA I) is reported. L-Histidine binds deep within the enzyme active site, participating in a network of hydrogen bonds involving its carboxylate moiety and the zinc-bound water molecule, as well as the imidazole of His200, being in van der Waals contacts with Thr199, His200, His64, and His67. This binding is very different from that to the other major cytosolic isozyme hCA II.

Amino Acids↗

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Inhibition of the cytosolic human isozymes I and II, and the transmembrane, tumor-associated isozymes IX and XII with substituted aromatic sulfonamides activatable in hypoxic tumors.

Some 2-mercapto-substituted-benzenesulfonamides and their disulfides/sulfones were prepared and investigated as inhibitors of four isoforms of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), that is, CA I and II (cytosolic enzymes), and the tumor-associated CA IX and XII. Some mercaptans led to a consistent increase of inhibitory power (52.8- to 243-fold) over the corresponding oxidized (S-S type) derivatives, acting as potential hypoxia-activatable drugs.

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors↗

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: X-ray and molecular modeling study for the interaction of a fluorescent antitumor sulfonamide with isozyme II and IX.

The X-ray crystal structure of the fluorescent antitumor sulfonamide carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC, 4.2.1.1) inhibitor (4-sulfamoylphenylethyl)thioureido fluorescein (1) in complex with the cytosolic isoform hCA II is reported, together with a modeling study of the adduct of 1 with the tumor-associated isoform hCA IX. Its binding to hCA II is similar to that of other benzesulfonamides, with the ionized sulfonamide coordinated to the Zn2+ ion within the enzyme active site, and also participating in a network of hydrogen bonds with residues Thr199 and Glu106. The scaffold of 1 did not establish polar interactions within the enzyme active site but made hydrophobic contacts (<4.5 A) with Gln92, Val121, Phe131, Val135, Leu198, Thr199, Thr200, and Pro202. The substituted 3-carboxy-amino-phenyl functionality was at van der Waals distance from Phe131, Gly132, and Val135. The bulky tricyclic fluorescein moiety was located at the rim of the active site, on the protein surface, and strongly interacted with the alpha-helix formed by residues Asp130-Val135. All these interactions were preserved in the hCA IX-1 adduct, but the carbonyl moiety of the fluorescein tail of 1 participates in a strong hydrogen bond with the guanidine moiety of Arg130, an amino acid characteristic of the hCA IX active site. This may account for the roughly 2 times higher affinity of 1 for hCA IX over hCA II and may explain why in vivo the compound specifically accumulates only in hypoxic tumors overexpressing CA IX and not in the normal tissues. The compound is in clinical studies as an imaging tool for acute hypoxic tumors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

N-hydroxyurea--a versatile zinc binding function in the design of metalloenzyme inhibitors.

N-Hydroxyurea binds both to carbonic anhydrase (CA) and to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). X-ray crystallography showed N-hydroxyurea to bind in a bidentate mode by means of the oxygen and nitrogen atoms of the NHOH moiety to the Zn(II) ion of CA, participating in a network of hydrogen bonds with a water molecule and Thr199. A derivatized N-hydroxyurea showed low-micromolar affinity for several CAs. This simple zinc binding function may be exploited for obtaining potent metalloenzyme inhibitors, due to its versatility of binding to the metal ion present in the active site of such enzymes.

Binding Sites↗

Crystal structure of 3-chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase key enzyme of a new modified ortho-pathway from the Gram-positive Rhodococcus opacus 1CP grown on 2-chlorophenol.

The crystal structure of the 3-chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase from the Gram-positive bacterium Rhodococcus opacus (erythropolis) 1CP, a Fe(III) ion-containing enzyme specialized in the aerobic biodegradation of 3-chloro- and methyl-substituted catechols, has been solved by molecular replacement techniques using the coordinates of 4-chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase from the same organism (PDB code 1S9A) as a starting model and refined at 1.9 A resolution (R(free) 21.9%; R-factor 17.4%). The analysis of the structure and of the kinetic parameters for a series of different substrates, and the comparison with the corresponding data for the 4-chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase isolated from the same bacterial strain, provides evidence of which active site residues are responsible for the observed differences in substrate specificity. Among the amino acid residues expected to interact with substrates, only three are altered Val53(Ala53), Tyr78(Phe78) and Ala221(Cys224) (3-chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase(4-chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase)), clearly identifying the substitutions influencing substrate selectivity in these enzymes. The crystallographic asymmetric unit contains eight subunits (corresponding to four dimers) that show heterogeneity in the conformation of a co-crystallized molecule bound to the catalytic non-heme iron(III) ion resembling a benzohydroxamate moiety, probably a result of the breakdown of recently discovered siderophores synthesized by Gram-positive bacteria. Several different modes of binding benzohydroxamate into the active site induce distinct conformations of the interacting protein ligands Tyr167 and Arg188, illustrating the plasticity of the active site origin of the more promiscuous substrate preferences of the present enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Carbonic anhydrase activators: activation of isozyme XIII with amino acids and amines.

The first activation study of isoform XIII of carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) is reported. A series of amino acids and amines incorporating protonatable moieties of the primary/heterocyclic amine type were included in the study. As for CA I and II, CA XIII activators enhance kcat and show no effect on KM, for the physiologic reaction catalyzed by this isoform. Excellent CA XIII activating properties were shown by D-amino acids (His, Phe, DOPA, and Trp), serotonin, and 4-(2-aminoethyl)-morpholine, whereas the corresponding L-amino acids, dopamine, histamine, and 1-(2-aminoethyl)-piperazine, were weaker activators.

Amines↗

Carbonic anhydrase activators. Activation of isoforms I, II, IV, VA, VII, and XIV with L- and D-phenylalanine and crystallographic analysis of their adducts with isozyme II: stereospecific recognition within the active site of an enzyme and its consequences for the drug design.

Activation of six human brain carbonic anhydrases (hCAs, EC 4.2.1.1), hCA I, II, IV, VA, VII, and XIV, with l-/d-phenylalanine was investigated kinetically and by X-ray crystallography. l-Phe was a potent activator of isozymes I, II, and XIV (K(A)s of 13-240 nM), a weaker activator of hCA VA and VII (K(A)s of 9.8-10.9 microM), and a quite inefficient hCA IV activator (K(A) of 52 microM). d-Phe showed good hCA II activatory properties (K(A) of 35 nM), being a moderate hCA VA, VII, and XIV (K(A)s of 4.6-9.7 microM) and a weak hCA I and IV activator (K(A)s of 63-86 microM). X-ray crystallography of the hCA II-l-Phe/d-Phe adducts showed the activators to be anchored at the entrance of the active site, participating in numerous bonds and hydrophobic interactions with amino acid residues His64, Thr200, Trp5, and Pro201. This is the first study showing different binding modes of stereoisomeric activators within the hCA II active site, with consequences for overall proton transfer processes (rate-determining for the catalytic cycle). It also points out differences of activation efficiency between various isozymes with structurally related activators, exploitable for designing alternative proton transfer pathways. CA activators may lead to the design of pharmacologically useful derivatives for the enhancement of synaptic efficacy, which may represent a conceptually new approach for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, aging, and other conditions in which spatial learning and memory therapy must be enhanced. As the blood and brain concentrations of l-Phe are quite variable (30-73 microM), activity of some brain CAs may strongly be influenced by the level of activator(s) present in such tissues.

Binding Sites↗

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).

Animals↗

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: transepithelial transport of thioureido sulfonamide inhibitors of the cancer-associated isozyme IX is dependent on efflux transporters.

Sulfonamides and their derivatives inhibit the catalytic activity of carbonic anhydrases (CA, EC 4.2.1.1). Isozyme IX (CA IX) is a transmembrane isoform with the active site oriented toward the extracellular space. CA IX was recently shown to be a drug target, and it is highly overexpressed in hypoxic tumors with limited distribution in normal tissues. The present report deals with the drug design, synthesis, and biological investigation of a group of thioureido sulfonamides, which have been obtained by reaction of isothiocyanate-substituted aromatic sulfonamides with amines. These compounds have potent inhibitory properties against CA IX with K(I) values in the range of 10-37 nM and P(app)values > 0.34 x 10(-6) cm/s for the absorptive transepithelial transport in Caco-2 cells. In Caco-2 cells, one of these compounds (A6) was shown to be a substrate for efflux transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp). P-gp activity is not likely to be rate-limiting for intestinal absorption, but might be useful when targeting hypoxic tumors expressing both P-gp and CA IX.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗