Structure-Based Identification of Inhibitory Fragments Targeting the p300/CBP-Associated Factor Bromodomain.

The P300/CBP-associated factor plays a central role in retroviral infection and cancer development, and the C-terminal bromodomain provides an opportunity for selective targeting. Here, we report several new classes of acetyl-lysine mimetic ligands ranging from mM to low micromolar affinity that were identified using fragment screening approaches. The binding modes of the most attractive fragments were determined using high resolution crystal structures providing chemical starting points and structural models for the development of potent and selective PCAF inhibitors.

Synthesis and crystallographic analysis of new sulfonamides incorporating NO-donating moieties with potent antiglaucoma action.

Several aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamide scaffolds have been used to synthesize compounds incorporating NO-donating moieties of the nitrate ester type, which have been investigated for the inhibition of five physiologically relevant human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms: hCA I (offtarget), II, IV and XII (antiglaucoma targets) and IX (antitumor target). Some of the new compounds showed effective in vitro inhibition of the target isoforms involved in glaucoma, and the X-ray crystal structure of one of them revealed factors associated with the marked inhibitory activity. In an animal model of ocular hypertension, one of the new compounds was twice more effective than dorzolamide in reducing elevated intraocular pressure characteristic of this disease, anticipating their potential for the treatment of glaucoma.

An inhibitor-like binding mode of a carbonic anhydrase activator within the active site of isoform II.

The 2,4,6-trimethylpyridinium derivative of histamine is an effective activator of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1). However, unlike other CA activators, which bind at the entrance of the active site cavity, an X-ray crystal structure of hCA II in complex with the 1-[2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-ethyl]-2,4,6-trimethylpyridinium salt evidenced a binding mode never observed before either for activators or inhibitors of this enzyme, with the 2,4,6-trimethylpyridinium ring pointing towards the metal ion deep within the enzyme cavity, and several strong hydrophobic interactions stabilizing the adduct. Indeed, incubation of the activator with the enzyme for several days leads to potent inhibitory effects. This is the first example of a CA activator which after a longer contact with the enzyme behaves as an inhibitor.

Polyamines inhibit carbonic anhydrases by anchoring to the zinc-coordinated water molecule.

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) are inhibited by sulfonamides, phenols, and coumarins. Polyamines such as spermine, spermidine, and many synthetic congeners are described to constitute a novel class of CA inhibitors (CAIs), interacting with the different CA isozymes with efficiency from the low nanomolar to millimolar range. The main structure-activity relationship for these CAIs have been delineated: the length of the molecule, number of amine moieties, and their functionalization are the main parameters controlling activity. The X-ray crystal structure of the CA II-spermine adduct allowed understanding of the inhibition mechanism. Spermine anchors to the nonprotein zinc ligand through a network of hydrogen bonds. Its distal amine moiety makes hydrogen bonds with residues Thr200 and Pro201, which further stabilize the adduct. Spermine binds differently compared to sulfonamides, phenols, or coumarins, rendering possible to develop CAIs with a diverse inhibition mechanism, profile, and selectivity for various isoforms.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. X-ray crystal studies of the carbonic anhydrase II-trithiocarbonate adduct--an inhibitor mimicking the sulfonamide and urea binding to the enzyme.

Trithiocarbonate (CS32-) inhibits with low micromolar affinities several mammalian carbonic anhydrases, CAs, EC 4.2.1.1 [Innocenti et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2009, 19, 1855]. Here we report the X-ray crystal structure of the hCA II-trithiocarbonate adduct. Trithiocarbonate is monodentately bound to the Zn(II) ion and makes several hydrogen bonds with Thr199 and two water molecules from the enzyme active site. Its binding is different from that of ureate, another small inhibitor isosteric with trithiocarbonate but somehow mimicks the binding of the SO(2)NH moiety present in the sulfonamide inhibitors and is similar to that of bicarbonate. Compounds incorporating this new zinc-binding group, CS2-, may thus lead to new classes of potent inhibitors.

The coumarin-binding site in carbonic anhydrase accommodates structurally diverse inhibitors: the antiepileptic lacosamide as an example and lead molecule for novel classes of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Coumarins constitute a general and totally new class of inhibitors of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), binding at the entrance of the active site cavity. We report here that the coumarin-binding site in CAs may interact with diverse compounds, such as the antiepileptic drug lacosamide, which inhibits mammalian CAs I-XV, with inhibition constants in range of 331 nM to 4.56 microM. Its X-ray crystal structure in adduct with CA II reveals the molecular basis for this inhibition. Lacosamide was found in the coumarin-binding site, making favorable van der Waals interactions with Thr200, Asn67, Gln92, and Phe131. No interactions with the Zn(II) ion were evidenced in the CA II-lacosamide adduct. The coumarin-binding site may thus accommodate structurally diverse compounds which possess an inhibition mechanism distinct of that of sulfonamides. This finding opens new possibilities for designing CA inhibitors/activators with various biomedical applications.

Deciphering the mechanism of carbonic anhydrase inhibition with coumarins and thiocoumarins.

Coumarin derivatives were recently shown to constitute a totally new class of inhibitors of the zinc metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), being hydrolyzed within the CA active site to 2-hydroxycinnamic acids. We explore here a new series of variously substituted coumarins and a thiocoumarin for their interaction with 13 mammalian CA isoforms, detecting low nanomolar and isoform selective inhibitors. The mechanism of action of this class of inhibitors is delineated in detail by resolving the X-ray crystal structure of CA II in complex with trans-2-hydroxy-cinnamic acid, the in situ hydrolysis product of simple coumarin. Thiocoumarins also act as efficient CAIs, similarly to coumarins. The versatility of the (thio)coumarin chemistry, the cis-trans isomerization evidenced here, and easy derivatization of the (thio)coumarin rings, coupled with the nanomolar inhibition range of several isozymes, afford isoform-selective CAIs with various biomedical applications, which render these classes of compounds superior to the clinically used sulfonamides.

Nitric oxide-donating carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma.

Novel bi-functional compounds with a nitric oxide (NO)-releasing moiety bound to a dorzolamide scaffold were investigated. Several compounds were synthesized and their activity as selective carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI) evaluated in vitro on recombinant hCA type I, II and IV enzyme isoforms where they showed different degrees of potency and selectivity to hCA II. A high resolution X-ray crystal structure for the CA II adduct with 8 confirmed the high affinity of this class of compounds for the enzyme. Compounds 4, 6, and 8 showed highly potent and efficacious NO-mediated properties as assessed by their vascular relaxant effect on methoxamine-precontracted rabbit aortic rings. Finally, compounds 4 and 6 exerted potent intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effects in vivo in normotensive rabbits thereby anticipating their potential for the treatment of hypertensive glaucoma.

Dissecting the inhibition mechanism of cytosolic versus transmembrane carbonic anhydrases by ESR.

Spin-labeled sulfonamides incorporating TEMPO moieties showed efficient activity as inhibitors of the metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) and, in particular, of the physiologically relevant isoenzymes hCA II, hCA IX, and hCA XIV. Here we report a detailed analysis of this class of inhibitors by means of ESR and X-ray crystallography, in comparison with inhibition tests against all mammalian CA isoforms, CA I-XIV. Local dynamics and structure were manifested in the ESR signal through modulation of internal magnetic anisotropies. Analysis and fitting of the ESR spectra of several spin-labeled sulfonamides with isoforms CA II (cytosolic), CA IX (catalytic domain and full length transmembrane, tumor-associated isoform) and CA XIV (transmembrane isozyme) provided information about polarity and dynamics of specific microenvironments sensed by the nitroxyl group within the active site cavity of these isozymes. The comparison of ESR and crystallographic data of hCA II complexed with one of these inhibitors constitutes a useful tool for the understanding of molecular hindrance and ordering within the enzyme active site, and provides theoretical bases to use these inhibitors for imaging purposes of hypoxic tumors overexpressing the transmembrane isozyme CA IX. Combining the sulfonamide zinc-binding group with the TEMPO moiety thus allowed to dissect the selective inhibition mechanism of different cytosolic and transmembrane carbonic anhydrases.

Non-zinc mediated inhibition of carbonic anhydrases: coumarins are a new class of suicide inhibitors.

The X-ray crystal structure of the adduct between the zinc metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase II (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) with the recently discovered natural product coumarin derivative 6-(1S-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-7-methoxy-2H-chromen-2-one showed the coumarin hydrolysis product, a cis-2-hydroxy-cinnamic acid derivative, and not the parent coumarin, bound within the enzyme active site. The bound inhibitor exhibits an extended, two-arm conformation that effectively plugs the entrance to the enzyme active site with no interactions with the catalytically crucial zinc ion. The inhibitor is sandwiched between Phe131, with which it makes an edge-to-face stacking, and Asn67/Glu238sym, with which it makes several polar and hydrogen bonding interactions. This unusual binding mode, with no interactions between the inhibitor molecule and the active site metal ion is previously unobserved for this enzyme class and presents a new opportunity for future drug design campaigns to target a mode of inhibition that differs substantially from classical inhibitors such as the clinically used sulfonamides and sulfamates. Several structurally simple coumarin scaffolds were also shown to inhibit all 13 catalytically active mammalian CA isoforms, with inhibition constants ranging from nanomolar to millimolar. The inhibition is time dependent, with maximum inhibition being observed after 6 h.

A thiabendazole sulfonamide shows potent inhibitory activity against mammalian and nematode alpha-carbonic anhydrases.

A sulfonamide derivative of the antihelmintic drug thiabendazole was prepared and investigated for inhibition of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase CA (EC 4.2.1.1). Mammalian isoforms CA I-XIV and the nematode enzyme of Caenorhabditis elegans CAH-4b were included in this study. Thiabendazole-5-sulfonamide was a very effective inhibitor of CAH-4b and CA IX (K(I)s of 6.4-9.5nm) and also inhibited effectively isozymes CA I, II, IV-VII, and XII, with K(I)s in the range of 17.8-73.2nM. The high resolution X-ray crystal structure of its adduct with isozyme II evidenced the structural elements responsible for this potent inhibitory activity.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Comparison of chlorthalidone and indapamide X-ray crystal structures in adducts with isozyme II: when three water molecules and the keto-enol tautomerism make the difference.

Thiazide diuretics inhibit all mammalian isoforms of carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) with a different profile as compared to classical inhibitors. Acting as moderate-weak inhibitors of CA II and CA I, chlorthalidone and indapamide considerably inhibit other isozymes among the 16 CAs present in vertebrates. These compounds show a different behavior against CAs I and II, with chlorthalidone being 18.3 times more potent against CA II and 150 times more potent against CA I, as compared to indapamide. In the X-ray crystal structures of the CA II-chlorthalidone adduct three active site water molecules interacting with the inhibitor scaffold were observed that lack in the corresponding indapamide adduct. Chlorthalidone bound within the active site is in an enolic tautomeric form, with the OH moiety participating in two strong hydrogen bonds with Asn67 and a water molecule. This binding mode may be exploited for designing better CA II inhibitors.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Comparison of chlorthalidone, indapamide, trichloromethiazide, and furosemide X-ray crystal structures in adducts with isozyme II, when several water molecules make the difference.

Thiazide and high ceiling diuretics were recently shown to inhibit all mammalian isoforms of carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) with a very different profile as compared to classical inhibitors, such as acetazolamide, methazolamide, and ethoxzolamide. Some of these structurally related compounds have a very different behavior against the widespread isozyme CA II, with chlorthalidone, trichloromethiazide, and furosemide being efficient inhibitors against CA II (K(I)s of 65-138 nM), whereas indapamide is a much weaker one (K(I) of 2520 nM). Furthermore, some of these diuretics are quite efficient (low nanomolar) inhibitors of other isoforms, for example, chlorthalidone against hCA VB, VII, IX, and XIII; indapamide against CA VII, IX, XII, and XIII, trichloromethiazide against CA VII and IX, and furosemide against CA I and XIV. Examining the four X-ray crystal structures of their CA II adducts, we observed several (2-3) active site water molecules interacting with the chlorthalidone, trichloromethiazide, and furosemide scaffolds which may be responsible for this important difference of activity. Indeed, indapamide bound to CA II has no interactions with active site water molecules. Chlorthalidone bound within the CA II active site is in an enolic (lactimic) tautomeric form, with the enolic OH also participating in two strong hydrogen bonds with Asn67 and a water molecule. The newly evidenced binding modes of these diuretics may be exploited for designing better CA II inhibitors as well as compounds with selectivity/affinity for various isoforms with medicinal chemistry applications.

Carbonic anhydrase activators: kinetic and X-ray crystallographic study for the interaction of D- and L-tryptophan with the mammalian isoforms I-XIV.

An activation study of mammalian carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms I-XIV with D- and L-tryptophan has been performed both by means of kinetic and X-ray crystallographic techniques. These compounds show a time dependent activity against isozyme CA II, with activation constants of 1.13 microM for L-Trp and 0.37 microM for D-Trp, respectively, after 24 h of incubation between enzyme and activator. The high resolution X-ray crystal structure of the hCA II-D-Trp adduct revealed the activator to bind in a totally unprecedented way to the enzyme active site as compared to histamine, L-/D-Phe, L-/D-His or L-adrenaline. D-Trp is anchored at the edge of the CA II active site entrance, strongly interacting with amino acid residues Asp130, Phe131 and Gly132 as well as with a loop of a second symmetry related protein molecule from the asymmetric unit, by means of hydrogen bonds and several weak van der Waals interactions involving Glu234, Gly235, Glu236 and Glu238. Thus, a second activator binding site (B) within the CA II cavity has been detected, where only D-Trp was shown so far to bind, in addition to the activator binding site A, in which histamine, L-/D-Phe, and L-/D-His are bound. These findings explain the strong affinity of D-Trp for CA II and may be useful for designing novel classes of CA activators by using this compound as lead molecule.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Sulfonamide diuretics revisited--old leads for new applications?

Sulfonamide diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, hydroflumethiazide, quinethazone, metolazone, chlorthalidone, indapamide, furosemide and bumetanide were tested as inhibitors of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1). These drugs were discovered in a period when only isoform CA II was known and considered physiologically/pharmacologically relevant. We prove here that although acting as moderate to weak inhibitors of CA II, all these drugs considerably inhibit other isozymes known nowadays to be involved in critical physiologic processes, among the 16 CAs present in vertebrates. Some low nanomolar/subnanomolar inhibitors against such isoforms were detected, such as among others metolazone against CA VII, XII and XIII, chlorthalidone against CA VB, VII, IX, XII and XIII, indapamide against CA VII, IX, XII and XIII, furosemide against CA I, II and XIV, and bumethanide against CA IX and XII. The X-ray crystal structure of the CA II-indapamide adduct was also resolved at high resolution, and the binding of this sulfonamide to the enzyme was compared to that of dichlorophenamide, sulpiride and a pyridinium containing sulfonamide. Indapamide binds to CA II in a manner not seen earlier for any other CA inhibitor, which might be important for the design of compounds with a different inhibition profile.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Interaction of the antitumor sulfamate EMD 486019 with twelve mammalian carbonic anhydrase isoforms: Kinetic and X-ray crystallographic studies.

The new antitumor sulfamate EMD 486019 was investigated for its interaction with twelve catalytically active mammalian carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isozymes, hCA I - XIV. Similarly to 667-Coumate, a structurally related compound in phase II clinical trials as steroid sulfatase/CA inhibitor with potent antitumor properties, EMD 486019 acts as a strong inhibitor of isozymes CA II, VB, VII, IX, XII, and XIV (K(I)s in the range of 13-19nM) being less effective against other isozymes (K(I)s in the range of 66-3600nM against hCA I, IV, VA, VI, and mCA XIII, respectively). The complete inhibition profile of 667-Coumate against these mammalian CAs is also reported here for the first time. Comparing the X-ray crystal structures of the two adducts of CA II with EMD 486019 and 667-Coumate, distinct orientations of the bound sulfamates within the enzyme cavity were observed, which account for their distinct inhibition profiles. CA II/IX potent inhibitors belonging to the sulfamate class are thus valuable clinical candidates with potential for development as antitumor agents with a multifactorial mechanism of action.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Interaction of indapamide and related diuretics with 12 mammalian isozymes and X-ray crystallographic studies for the indapamide-isozyme II adduct.

Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, hydroflumethiazide, quinethazone, metolazone, chlorthalidone, indapamide, furosemide, and bumetanide containing primary sulfamoyl moieties were reevaluated as inhibitors of 12 human carbonic anhydrases (hCAs, EC 4.2.1.1). These drugs considerably inhibit (low nanomolar range) some CA isozymes involved in critical physiologic processes, among the 16 present in vertebrates, for example, metolazone against CA VII, XII, and XIII, chlorthalidone against CA VB, VII, IX, XII, and XIII, indapamide against CA VII, IX, XII, and XIII, furosemide against CA I, II, and XIV, and bumetanide against CA IX and XII. The X-ray crystal structure of the hCA II-indapamide adduct was also resolved at high resolution.

Carbonic anhydrase activation and the drug design.

The activation mechanism of Carbonic Anhydrase was recently explained using kinetic, spectroscopic and X-ray techniques. It has been demonstrated that the activators molecules (CAAs) bind at the entrance of the enzyme active-site facilitating the rate-determining step of CA catalytic cycle. Drug design studies have been performed in order to obtain strong CAAs belonging to several chemical classes: amino acids, azoles, amine and their derivatives, etc. Structure-activity correlations of different activators are discussed for the most studied Carbonic Anhydrase isozymes: isoform I and II. The physiological relevance of CA activation and the possible application of CAAs in Alzheimer's disease and for other memory therapies are also treated.