The binding of inhibitors to carbonic anhydrase in vivo: Drugs as markers for enzyme

Abstract

Units of activity of carbonic anhydrase in tissues or solutions may be converted to molar terms, as a result of an analysis of inhibition kinetics 1. In vitro, lens suspensions and, under certain conditions red cells, bind potent carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in concentrations equivalent to original enzyme 2. The present study shows that acetazolamide, an inhibitor of K I = 6.4 × 10 −8, binds stoichiometrically to carbonic anhydrase — containing tissues in vivo. If conditions are properly selected, (EI), the bound form of enzyme, might be used as a marker for (E o), enzyme orginally present.