Synthesis and Inhibition Activity Study of Triazinyl-Substituted Amino(alkyl)-benzenesulfonamide Conjugates with Polar and Hydrophobic Amino Acids as Inhibitors of Human Carbonic Anhydrases I, II, IV, IX, and XII.

Primary sulfonamide derivatives with various heterocycles represent the most widespread group of potential human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) inhibitors with high affinity and selectivity towards specific isozymes from the hCA family. In this work, new 4-aminomethyl- and aminoethyl-benzenesulfonamide derivatives with 1,3,5-triazine disubstituted with a pair of identical amino acids, possessing a polar (Ser, Thr, Asn, Gln) and non-polar (Ala, Tyr, Trp) side chain, have been synthesized. The optimized synthetic, purification, and isolation procedures provided several pronounced benefits such as a short reaction time (in sodium bicarbonate aqueous medium), satisfactory yields for the majority of new products (20.6-91.8%, average 60.4%), an effective, well defined semi-preparative RP-C18 liquid chromatography (LC) isolation of desired products with a high purity (>97%), as well as preservation of green chemistry principles. These newly synthesized conjugates, plus their 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide analogues prepared previously, have been investigated in in vitro inhibition studies towards hCA I, II, IV and tumor-associated isozymes IX and XII. The experimental results revealed the strongest inhibition of hCA XII with low nanomolar inhibitory constants (Kis) for the derivatives with amino acids possessing non-polar side chains (7.5-9.6 nM). Various derivatives were also promising for some other isozymes.

Design, synthesis, in vitro inhibition and toxicological evaluation of human carbonic anhydrases I, II and IX inhibitors in 5-nitroimidazole series.

With the aim to obtain novel compounds possessing both strong affinity against human carbonic anhydrases and low toxicity, we synthesised novel thiourea and sulphonamide derivatives 3, 4 and 10, and studied their in vitro inhibitory properties against human CA I, CA II and CA IX. We also evaluated the toxicity of these compounds using zebrafish larvae. Among the three compounds, derivative 4 showed efficient inhibition against hCA II (KI = 58.6 nM). Compound 10 showed moderate inhibition against hCA II (KI = 199.2 nM) and hCA IX (KI = 147.3 nM), whereas it inhibited hCA I less weakly at micromolar concentrations (KI = 6428.4 nM). All other inhibition constants for these compounds were in the submicromolar range. The toxicity evaluation studies showed no adverse effects on the zebrafish larvae. Our study suggests that these compounds are suitable for further preclinical characterisation as potential inhibitors of hCA I, II and IX.

Continued exploration and tail approach synthesis of benzenesulfonamides containing triazole and dual triazole moieties as carbonic anhydrase I, II, IV and IX inhibitors.

A library of twenty two novel 1,2,3-triazole benzenesulfonamides incorporating thiosemicarbazide, 5(4H)-thione-1,2,4-triazole and variously substituted phenacyl appended 1,2,4-triazole as tail were designed, synthesized and assessed for their efficacy as inhibitors against carbonic anhydrase human (h) isoforms hCA I, II, IV and IX. The physiologically important and off-target cytosolic isoform hCA I was weakly inhibited by most of the newly synthesized sulfonamides while the glaucoma associated isoform hCA II was moderately inhibited with KIs spanning in low nanomolar range (KI = 8.0 nM-0.903 µM). The membrane bound isoform hCA IV, which is known to be involved in glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa among others, was strongly inhibited by all newly synthesized sulfonamides out of which nine compounds inhibited isoform hCA IV even more effectively as compared to standard drug acetazolamide (AAZ). The membrane bound isoform hCA IX, associated with growth of tumor cells, was moderately inhibited with KIs ranging between 51 nM-3.198 µM. The effect of appending variously substituted tails on heterocyclic moieties over inhibition potential of synthesized sulfonamides is also disclosed which can be of further interest in pharmacological studies for exploring synthesis of isoform selective inhibitors.

From random to rational: A discovery approach to selective subnanomolar inhibitors of human carbonic anhydrase IV based on the Castagnoli-Cushman multicomponent reaction.

By exploiting the power of multicomponent chemistry, a relatively small, diverse set of primary sulfonamides was synthesized and screened against a panel of human carbonic anhydrases to reveal a low-nanomolar, albeit non-selective hCA IV lead inhibitor. Investigation of the docking poses of this compound identified a hydrophilic pocket unique to hCA IV and conveniently positioned near the carboxylate functionality of the initial lead. Various residues capable of forming hydrogen bonds as well as salt bridges were placed in this pocket via a carboxamides linkage, which led to drastic improvement of potency and selectivity towards hCA IV. This improvement of the desired inhibitory profile was rationalized by the new contacts as had been envisioned. These new tool compounds were shown to possess selective, dose-dependent cytotoxicity against human glioma T98G cell line. The latter showed a substantially increased hCA IV mRNA expression under hypoxic conditions.

Novel sulfonamides incorporating 1,3,5-triazine and amino acid structural motifs as inhibitors of the physiological carbonic anhydrase isozymes I, II and IV and tumor-associated isozyme IX.

A new series of thirty s-triazinyl-substituted aminoalkylbenzenesulfonamides, incorporating a symmetric pair of amino acid moieties, is reported, together with inhibition studies of physiologically relevant human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms. Specifically, against the cytosolic hCA I, II, transmembrane hCA IV and the tumor-associated, membrane-bound hCA IX. The compounds were prepared by nucleophilic substitution of chlorine atoms from cyanuric chloride (2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine) using environmentally friendly water-based synthetic conditions. The products yields ranged in the interval of 43-97%. Purity of the products was verified by the HPLC-DAD-ESI-Q-TOF MS method. Identity of the products was confirmed by the same method plus NMR and IR. The products showed weak inhibition of the cytosolic, off-target isozyme hCA II, but some of them were low nanomolar (i.e. strong) inhibitors of the tumor-associated hCA IX. The series offered representatives selective towards isozymes hCA I, IV and IX. 2,2'-((6-((4-sulfamoylphenethyl)amino)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl)bis(imino))disuccinic acid demonstrated highest selectivity to the tumor-associated isoform hCA IX over off-target isozymes, with impressive KI ratio (hCA II/hCA IX) 213.9 and inhibition constant equal to acetazolamide (KI = 25.8 nM). Although the selectivities of some other products, e.g. those conjugating Leu and Glu, were a bit lower (188.7 and 84.3, respectively) their inhibition constants were similar to acetazolamide too (24.0 and 27.1, respectively). The selected most impressive results from the inhibition study were interpreted via molecular modeling experiment (docking in Glide) revealing different inter-molecular enzyme-substrate interaction of 2,2'-((6-((4-sulfamoylphenethyl)amino)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl)bis(imino))disuccinic acid within specific hCA IX and hCA II microregions. Therefore, several selected compounds from this study can be considered as highly effective and selective inhibitors of hCA IX, worthy to further (preclinical) investigation.

Design and synthesis of novel benzenesulfonamide containing 1,2,3-triazoles as potent human carbonic anhydrase isoforms I, II, IV and IX inhibitors.

In a quest to discover new biologically active compounds, a series of twenty novel heterocyclic derivatives substituted at position 5 with -H (7a-7j) or -CF3 (8a-8j), bearing benzenesulfonamide at N-1 position and various aroyl groups at position 4 of the 1,2,3-triazole ring was synthesized and screened for their carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibition potential against four human (h) isoforms hCA I, II, IV and IX. All the compounds (7a-7j and 8a-8j) were synthesized via [3+2] cycloaddition reaction from 4-azidobenzenesulfonamide. Interestingly, compounds 7a-7j were prepared in one pot manner via enaminone intermediate using novel methodology. All the newly synthesized compounds (7a-7j &8a-8j) were found to be excellent inhibitors of edema related isoform hCA I with their inhibition constant (Ki) ranging from 30.1 to 86.8 nM as compared to standard drug acetazolamide (AAZ) with Ki = 250 nM. Further it was found that most of tested compounds were weaker inhibitors of isoform, hCA II although compounds 7b, 7d-7e, 8a, 8d-8f, 8i (mostly with electron withdrawing substituents) have shown better inhibition potential (Ki < 50 nM). Against glaucoma associated hCA IV, compound 7d was found to be better inhibitor (Ki = 52.4 nM) than AAZ (Ki = 74 nM) while against tumor associated hCA IX, all the compounds have shown moderate inhibition potential. Present study have added one more step in exploring the 1,2,3-triazlole moiety in the medicinal field.

2-Benzylpiperazine: A new scaffold for potent human carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Synthesis, enzyme inhibition, enantioselectivity, computational and crystallographic studies and in vivo activity for a new class of intraocular pressure lowering agents.

Two series of 2-benzylpiperazines have been prepared and tested for the inhibition of physiologically relevant isoforms of human carbonic anhydrases (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1). The new compounds carry on one nitrogen atom of the piperazine ring a sulfamoylbenzamide group as zinc-binding moiety, and different alkyl/acyl/sulfonyl groups on the other nitrogen. Regio- and stero-isomers are described. The majority of these compounds showed Ki values in the low-medium nanomolar range against hCA I, II and IV, but not IX. In many instances interaction with the enzyme was enantioselective. The binding mode has been studied by means of X-ray crystallography and molecular modelling. Two compounds, evaluated in rabbit models of glaucoma, were able to significantly reduce intraocular pressure, making them interesting candidates for further studies.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrazoline-based aromatic sulfamates with potent carbonic anhydrase isoforms II, IV and IX inhibitory efficacy.

Herein we report the synthesis of a new series of aromatic sulfamates designed considering the sulfonamide COX-2 selective inhibitors celecoxib and valdecoxib as lead compounds. These latter were shown to possess important human carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitory properties, with the inhibition of the tumor-associated isoform hCA IX likely being co-responsible of the celecoxib anti-tumor effects. Bioisosteric substitution of the pyrazole or isoxazole rings from these drugs with the pyrazoline one was considered owing to the multiple biological activities ascribed to this latter heterocycle and paired with the replacement of the sulfonamide of celecoxib and valdecoxib with its equally potent bioisoster sulfamate. The synthesized derivatives were screened for the inhibition of four human carbonic anhydrase isoforms, namely hCA I, II, IV, and IX. All screened sulfamates exhibited great potency enhancement in inhibiting isoform II and IV, widely involved in glaucoma (KIs in the range of 0.4-12.4 nM and 17.7 and 43.3 nM, respectively), compared to the lead compounds, whereas they affected the tumor-associated hCA IX as potently as celecoxib.

Structural investigations on coumarins leading to chromeno[4,3-c]pyrazol-4-ones and pyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-4-ones: New scaffolds for the design of the tumor-associated carbonic anhydrase isoforms IX and XII.

Human carbonic anhydrases (hCAs, EC 4.2.1.1) IX and XII are overexpressed in a wide variety of cancers and are considered available drug targets for anti-tumor therapy since their inhibition has been shown to reduce tumor growth and metastasis. A set of coumarin derivatives (1-10) and several 1-aryl and 2-aryl-substituted chromeno[4,3-c]pyrazol-4-ones (11-37) and pyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-4-ones (38-39) were synthesized and tested against the tumor-associated hCAs IX and XII and the cytosolic isoforms hCAs I and II. Several compounds were potent (Ki < 41 nM) and selective inhibitors of the hCA IX (13, 14, 19, 21, 25, 31, 33, 37 and 39), some derivatives (6, 11 and 17) were active against both hCA IX and XII isoforms (Ki = 5.6-9.6 nM), while none were effective against the off-target cytosolic hCAs I and II. Some selected inhibitors (6, 11, 13, 19, 21, 25, 31 and 39) showed activity as antiproliferative agents on HT-29 colon cancer cell lines both in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. This finding led us to hypothesize for these derivatives more than one mechanism of action, involving hCAs IX and XII inhibition in hypoxia and other not identified target(s) in normoxia.

Synthesis of novel 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide containing acridine sulfonamide/carboxamide compounds and investigation of their inhibition effects on human carbonic anhydrase I, II, IV and VII.

Herein, we report that acridine intermediates 5 were obtained from the reduction of nitro acridine derivatives 4, which were synthesized via condensation of dimedone, p-nitrobenzaldehyde with 4-amino-N-(5-sulfamoyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)benzamide, respectively. Then acridine sulfonamide/carboxamide (7a-i) compounds were synthesized by reaction of amino acridine 5 with sulfonyl chlorides and carbamoyl chlorides. The new compounds were characterized by melting points, FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS analyzes. The evaluation of in vitro test of the synthesized compounds against hCA I, II, IV and VII showed that some of them are potent inhibitors. Among them, compound 7e showed the most potent activity against hCA II with a KI of 7.9 nM.

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 KAs 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 (KA of 16.2 µM for hCA II), 2-benzyl-piperazine (KA of 17.1 µM for hCA VII), and 1-(3-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)propan-1-one (KA 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.

Unprotected primary sulfonamide group facilitates ring-forming cascade en route to polycyclic [1,4]oxazepine-based carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

4-Chloro-3-nitrobenzenesulfonamide reacted cleanly at room-temperature with a range of bis-electrophilic phenols bearing an NH-acidic functionality (secondary carboxamide or pyrazole) in the ortho-position. This produced a novel class of [1,4]oxazepine-based primary sulfonamides which exhibited strong inhibition of therapeutically relevant human carbonic anhydrases. 2-Chloronitrobenzene did not enter a similar cyclocondensation process, even under prolonged heating. Thus, the primary sulfonamide functionality plays a dual role by enabling the [1,4]oxazepine ring construction and acting as a enzyme prosthetic zinc-binding group when the resulting [1,4]oxazepine sulfonamides are employed as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Intrinsic thermodynamics of high affinity inhibitor binding to recombinant human carbonic anhydrase IV.

Membrane-associated carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoform IV participates in carbon metabolism and pH homeostasis and is implicated in the development of eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and glaucoma. A series of substituted benzenesulfonamides were designed and their binding affinity to CA IV was determined by fluorescent thermal shift assay and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Compound [(4-chloro-2-phenylsulfanyl-5-sulfamoyl-benzoyl)amino]propyl acetate (19) bound CA IV with the K d of 1.0 nM and exhibited significant selectivity over the remaining 11 human CA isoforms. The compound could be developed as a drug targeting CA IV. Various forms of recombinant CA IV were produced in Escherichia coli and mammalian cell cultures. Comparison of their temperature stability in various buffers and salt solutions demonstrated that CA IV is most stable at slightly alkaline conditions and at elevated sodium sulfate concentrations. High-resolution X-ray crystallographic structures of ortho-Cl and meta-thiazole-substituted benzene sulfonamide in complex with CA IV revealed the position of and interactions between the ligand and the protein. Sulfonamide inhibitor binding to CA IV is linked to several reactions-the deprotonation of the sulfonamide amino group, the protonation of CA-Zn(II)-bound hydroxide at the active site of CA IV, and the compensating reactions of the buffer. The dissection of binding-linked reactions yielded the intrinsic thermodynamic parameters, characterizing the interaction between CA IV and the sulfonamides in the binding-able protonation forms, including Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy, that could be used for the characterization of binding to any CA in the process of drug design.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of benzenesulphonamide-bearing 1,4,5-trisubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles possessing human carbonic anhydrase I, II, IV, and IX inhibitory activity.

A library of benzenesulphonamides incorporating 1,2,3-triazole rings functionalised with ester, carboxylic acid, carboxamide, carboxyhydrazide, and hydroxymethyl moieties were synthesised. The carbonic anhydrase (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitory activity of the new compounds was assessed against four human (h) isoforms, hCA I, hCA II, hCA IV, and hCA IX. Among them, hCA II and IV are anti-glaucoma drug targets, being involved in aqueous humour secretion within the eye. hCA I was inhibited with Ki's ranging between 8.3 nM and 0.8737 µM. hCA II, the physiologically dominant cytosolic isoform, was excellently inhibited by these compounds, with Ki's in the range of 1.6-9.4 nM, whereas hCA IV was effectively inhibited by most of them, with Ki's in the range of 1.4-55.3 nM. Thirteen of the twenty sulphonamides were found to be excellent inhibitors of tumour associated hCA IX with Ki's ≤ 9.5 nM. Many of the new compounds reported here showed low nM inhibitory action against hCA II, IV, and IX, isoforms involved in glaucoma and some tumours, making them interesting candidates for further medicinal chemistry/pharmacologic studies.

Carbonic anhydrase I, II, IV and IX inhibition with a series of 7-amino-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives.

A series of new derivatives was prepared by derivatisation of the 7-amino moiety present in 7-amino-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-one, a compound investigated earlier as CAI. The derivatisation was achieved by: i) reaction with arylsulfonyl isocyanates/aryl isocyanates; (ii) reaction with fluorescein isothiocyanate; (iii) condensation with substituted benzoic acids in the presence of carbodiimides; (iv) reaction with 2,4,6-trimethyl-pyrylium tetrafluoroborate; (v) reaction with methylsulfonyl chloride and (vi) reaction with maleic anhydride. The new compounds were assayed as inhibitors of four carbonic anhydrases (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) human (h) isoforms of pharmacologic relevance, the cytosolic hCA I and II, the membrane-anchored hCA IV and the transmembrane, tumour-associated hCA IX. hCA IX was the most inhibited isoform (KIs ranging between 243.6 and 2785.6 nm) whereas hCA IV was not inhibited by these compounds. Most derivatives were weak hCA I and II inhibitors, with few of them showing KIs < 10 µm. Considering that the inhibition mechanism with these lactams is not yet elucidated, exploring a range of such derivatives with various substitution patterns may be useful to identify leads showing isoform selectivity or the desired pharmacologic action.

Novel indolin-2-one-based sulfonamides as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Synthesis, in vitro biological evaluation against carbonic anhydrases isoforms I, II, IV and VII and molecular docking studies.

Herein we present the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of three different series of novel sulfonamides (3a-f, 6a-f and 9a-f) incorporating substituted indolin-2-one moieties (as tails) linked to benzenesulfonamide (as zinc anchoring moieties) through aminoethyl or (4-oxothiazolidin-2-ylidene)aminoethyl linkers. The synthesized sulfonamides were evaluated in vitro for their inhibitory activity against the following human (h) carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms, hCA I, II, IV and VII. All these isoforms were inhibited by the sulfonamides reported here in variable degrees. hCA I was inhibited with KIs in the range of 42-8550.9 nM, hCA II in the range of 5.9-761 nM; hCA IV in the range of 4.0-2069.5 nM, whereas hCA VII in the range of 13.2-694 nM. Molecular docking studies were carried out for some of the tested compounds within the hCA II active site, allowed us to rationalize the obtained inhibition results.

The effects of some tumor markers on human erythrocyte (HCA-I and HCA-II), bovine erythrocyte (BCA) and bovine lung (CA-IV) carbonic anhydrase enzyme activities in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: The influence of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), tumor markers have been investigated on human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase (HCA-I and HCA-II) and bovine erythrocyte (BCA) and bovine lung carbonic anhydrase (CA-IV) in vitro. BACKGROUND: Tumor markers are substances that can often be detected in higher-than-normal amounts in the blood, urine, or body tissues of some patients with certain types of cancer. Tumor markers are produced either by the tumor itself or by the body in response to the presence of cancer or certain benign (noncancerous) conditions. In addition to their role in cancer diagnosis, some tumor marker levels are measured before treatment to help doctors plan appropriate therapy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All of the tumor markers were determined to have inhibition effect, on human CA-I, CA-II, bovine erythrocyte CA (BCA) and bovine lung CA-IV isoenzymes. The effect of each tumor marker on CA was investigated by Wilbur-Andersen method modified by Rickly et al Inhibition effects of two different tumor markers on human CA-I, CA-II, bovine erythrocyte CA (BCA) and bovine lung CA-IV isoenzymes were determined by using the CO2-Hydratase method by plotting activity % vs (tumor markers). I50 values of tumor markers exhibiting inhibition effects were found by means of these graphs (Tab.1, Fig. 2, Ref. 20).

Tumor microenvironmental changes induced by the sulfamate carbonic anhydrase IX inhibitor S4 in a laryngeal tumor model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) plays a pivotal role in pH homeostasis, which is essential for tumor cell survival. We examined the effect of the CAIX inhibitor 4-(3'(3",5"-dimethylphenyl)-ureido)phenyl sulfamate (S4) on the tumor microenvironment in a laryngeal tumor model by analyzing proliferation, apoptosis, necrosis, hypoxia, metabolism and CAIX ectodomain shedding. METHODS: SCCNij202 tumor bearing-mice were treated with S4 for 1, 3 or 5 days. CAIX ectodomain shedding was measured in the serum after therapy. Effects on tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, necrosis, hypoxia (pimonidazole) and CAIX were investigated with quantitative immunohistochemistry. Metabolic transporters and enzymes were quantified with qPCR. RESULTS: CAIX ectodomain shedding decreased after treatment with S4 (p<0.01). S4 therapy did neither influence tumor cell proliferation nor the amount of apoptosis and necrosis. Hypoxia (pimonidazole) and CAIX expression were also not affected by S4. CHOP and MMP9 mRNA as a reference of intracellular pH did not change upon treatment with S4. Compensatory mechanisms of pH homeostasis at the mRNA level were not observed. CONCLUSION: As the clinical and biological meaning of the decrease in CAIX ectodomain shedding after S4 therapy is not clear, studies are required to elucidate whether the CAIX ectodomain has a paracrine or autocrine signaling function in cancer biology. S4 did not influence the amount of proliferation, apoptosis, necrosis and hypoxia. Therefore, it is unlikely that S4 can be used as single agent to influence tumor cell kill and proliferation, and to target primary tumor growth.

Evidence from simultaneous intracellular- and surface-pH transients that carbonic anhydrase IV enhances CO2 fluxes across Xenopus oocyte plasma membranes.

Human carbonic anhydrase IV (CA IV) is GPI-anchored to the outer membrane surface, catalyzing CO2/HCO3 (-) hydration-dehydration. We examined effects of heterologously expressed CA IV on intracellular-pH (pHi) and surface-pH (pHS) transients caused by exposing oocytes to CO2/HCO3 (-)/pH 7.50. CO2 influx causes a sustained pHi fall and a transient pHS rise; CO2 efflux does the opposite. Both during CO2 addition and removal, CA IV increases magnitudes of maximal rate of pHi change (dpHi/dt)max, and maximal pHS change (ΔpHS) and decreases time constants for pHi changes (τpHi ) and pHS relaxations (τpHS ). Decreases in time constants indicate that CA IV enhances CO2 fluxes. Extracellular acetazolamide blocks all CA IV effects, but not those of injected CA II. Injected acetazolamide partially reduces CA IV effects. Thus, extracellular CA is required for, and the equivalent of cytosol-accessible CA augments, the effects of CA IV. Increasing the concentration of the extracellular non-CO2/HCO3 (-) buffer (i.e., HEPES), in the presence of extracellular CA or at high [CO2], accelerates CO2 influx. Simultaneous measurements with two pHS electrodes, one on the oocyte meridian perpendicular to the axis of flow and one downstream from the direction of extracellular-solution flow, reveal that the downstream electrode has a larger (i.e., slower) τpHS , indicating [CO2] asymmetry over the oocyte surface. A reaction-diffusion mathematical model (third paper in series) accounts for the above general features, and supports the conclusion that extracellular CA, which replenishes entering CO2 or consumes exiting CO2 at the extracellular surface, enhances the gradient driving CO2 influx across the cell membrane.

Glaucoma and the applications of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) has pharmacologic applications in the treatment of glaucoma, a disease affecting a large number of people and characterized by an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). At least three isoforms, CA II, IV and XII are targeted by the sulfonamide inhibitors, some of which are clinically used drugs. Acetazolamide, methazolamide and dichlorophenamide are first generation CA inhibitors (CAIs) still used as systemic drugs for the management of this disease. Dorzolamide and brinzolamide represent the second generation inhibitors, being used topically, as eye drops, with less side effects compared to the first generation drugs. Third generation inhibitors have been developed by using the tail approach, but they did not reach the clinics yet. The most promising such derivatives are the sulfonamides incorporating either tails with nitric oxide releasing moieties or hybrid drugs possessing prostaglandin (PG) F agonist moieties in their molecules. Recently, the dithiocarbamates have also been described as CAIs possessing IOP lowering effects in animal models of glaucoma. CAIs are used alone or in combination with other drugs such as adrenergic agonist/antagonists, or PG analogs, being an important component of the antiglaucoma drugs armamentarium.