Transmembrane Carbonic Anhydrase Research Articles

A reverse vaccinology approach on transmembrane carbonic anhydrases from Plasmodium species as vaccine candidates for malaria prevention

BackgroundMalaria is a significant parasitic infection, and human infection is mediated by mosquito (Anopheles) biting and subsequent transmission of protozoa (Plasmodium) to the blood. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are known to be highly expressed in the midgut and ectoperitrophic space of Anopheles gambiae. Transmembrane CAs (tmCAs) in Plasmodium may be potential vaccine candidates for the control and prevention of malaria.MethodsIn this study, two groups of transmembrane CAs, including α-CAs and one group of η-CAs were analysed by immunoinformatics and computational biology methods, such as predictions on transmembrane localization of CAs from Plasmodium spp., affinity and stability of different HLA classes, antigenicity of tmCA peptides, epitope and proteasomal cleavage of Plasmodium tmCAs, accessibility of Plasmodium tmCAs MHC-ligands, allergenicity of Plasmodium tmCAs, disulfide-bond of Plasmodium tmCAs, B cell epitopes of Plasmodium tmCAs, and Cell type-specific expression of Plasmodium CAs.ResultsTwo groups of α-CAs and one group of η-CAs in Plasmodium spp. were identified to contain tmCA sequences, having high affinity towards MHCs, high stability, and strong antigenicity. All putative tmCAs were predicted to contain sequences for proteasomal cleavage in antigen presenting cells (APCs).ConclusionsThe predicted results revealed that tmCAs from Plasmodium spp. can be potential targets for vaccination against malaria.

In silico Modeling of Curcumin Based Sulfonamides Inhibitors of the Human trans-Membrane Carbonic Anhydrase Isozyme, hCA IX by CoMSIA

Carbonic anhydrases, hCAs IX and XII are applied as the markers of progression of the disease in many oxygen deficient tumours and their specially manoeuvred inhibition is directly related to containing the growth of both primary tumours and tumour growth of secondary nature. Ligand-based quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies were carried out on curcumin related, sulphonamide derivatives as inhibitors of human trans-membrane carbonic anhydrase isozyme, hCA IX by comparative molecular field similarity analysis (CoMSIA) implemented through the SYBYL package. The capacity of the model to predict coveted compound was evaluated using test set of three compounds. The best model created was found to be of choice as it showed a r2 value of 0.811 and a cross validated coefficient q2 value of 0.617 in tripos CoMSIA hydrophobic region. Results of the present study indicated that hydrophobic region factors play an important role in carbonic anhydrase hCA IX inhibition for compounds.

Synthesis, Molecular Docking Analysis, and Biological Evaluations of Saccharide-Modified Sulfonamides as Carbonic Anhydrase IX Inhibitors.

Based on the strategy of the “tail approach”, 15 novel saccharide-modified sulfonamides were designed and synthesised. The novel compounds were evaluated as inhibitors of three human carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoforms, namely cytoplasmic CA II, transmembrane CA IX, and XII. Most of these compounds showed good activity against CAs and high topological polar surface area (TPSA) values, which had a positive effect on the selective inhibition of transmembrane isoforms CA IX and XII. In the in vitro activity studies, compounds 16a, 16b, and 16e reduced the viability of HT-29 and MDA-MB-231 cells with a high expression of CA IX under hypoxia. The inhibitory activity of compound 16e on the human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 with a high expression of CA IX and XII was better than that of AZM. Moreover, high concentrations of compounds 16a and 16b reversed the acidification of the tumour microenvironment. In addition, compound 16a had a certain inhibitory effect on the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. All the above results indicate that the saccharide-modified sulfonamide has further research value for the development of CA IX inhibitors.

Rapid and Selective Labeling of Endogenous Transmembrane Proteins in Living Cells with a Difluorophenyl Ester Affinity-Based Probe.

The long-term stability of affinity-based protein labeling probes is crucial to obtain reproducible protein labeling results. However, highly stable probes generally suffer from low protein labeling efficiency and pose significant challenges when labeling low abundance native proteins in living cells. In this paper, we report that protein labeling probes based on an ortho-difluorophenyl ester reactive module exhibit long-term stability in DMSO stock solution and aqueous buffer, yet they can undergo rapid and selective labeling of native proteins. This novel electrophile can be customized with a wide range of different protein ligands and is particularly well-suited for the labeling and imaging of transmembrane proteins. With this probe design, the identity and relative levels of basal and hypoxia-induced transmembrane carbonic anhydrases were revealed by live cell imaging and in-gel fluorescence analysis. We believe that the extension of this difluorophenyl ester reactive module would allow for the specific labeling of various endogenous membrane proteins, facilitating in-depth studies of their distribution and functions in biological processes.

New coumarin/sulfocoumarin linked phenylacrylamides as selective transmembrane carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Synthesis and in-vitro biological evaluation

Two novel series of phenylacrylamide linked coumarins and sulfocoumarins (6a-p, 8a-i, and 14a-g) were synthesized and evaluated against four physiologically relevant human carbonic anhydrases (hCAs, EC 4.2.1.1), isoforms hCA I, hCA II, hCA IX and hCA XII for their inhibitory action. All new compounds when screened for carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity have shown selective inhibition towards the tumor associated isoforms hCA IX and XII over CA I and II, with inhibition constants in the submicromolar to low nanomolar range. Compound 6b and 14g exhibited significant inhibition with low nanomolar potency against hCA IX, whereas 6k was effective against hCA XII. Compounds 6b, 14g and 6k may be considered as lead molecules for future development of cancer therapeutics based on a novel mechanism of action.

Pyrrolo and pyrrolopyrimidine sulfonamides act as cytotoxic agents in hypoxia via inhibition of transmembrane carbonic anhydrases

A series of novel sulfonamide derivatives bearing pyrrole and pyrrolopyrimidine scaffolds were synthesized and screened as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. The inhibition activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated against the cytosolic human carbonic anhydrase isoforms I and II and the transmembranal isoforms IX and XII. Several candidates showed potent inhibitory activity against IX and XII isoforms. Furthermore, ex vivo screening of cytotoxic selectivity and activity of the most potent derivatives were carried out against normal cells (WI38) and cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) under normal and hypoxic conditions using acetazolamide as reference drug. Compound 11b potency was nearly three folds higher in hypoxic than normoxic condition whereas that of compound 11f was nearly four folds higher in hypoxic vs. normoxic HeLa cells. All the screened derivatives exhibited less potency on normal cells (WI38). Molecular docking was carried out to discover the possible binding mode of compounds within the active site of isoform CA IX.

Novel 2-substituted-benzimidazole-6-sulfonamides as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: synthesis, biological evaluation against isoforms I, II, IX and XII and molecular docking studies

Inhibition of Carbonic Anhydrases (CAs) has been clinically exploited for many decades for a variety of therapeutic applications. Within a research project aimed at developing novel classes of CA inhibitors (CAIs) with a proper selectivity for certain isoforms, a series of derivatives featuring the 2-substituted-benzimidazole-6-sulfonamide scaffold, conceived as frozen analogs of Schiff bases and secondary amines previously reported in the literature as CAIs, were investigated. Enzyme inhibition assays on physiologically relevant human CA I, II, IX and XII isoforms revealed a number of potent CAIs, showing promising selectivity profiles towards the transmembrane tumor-associated CA IX and XII enzymes. Computational studies were attained to clarify the structural determinants behind the activities and selectivity profiles of the novel inhibitors.

N-Sulfamoylphenyl- and N-sulfamoylphenyl-N-thiazolyl-β-alanines and their derivatives as inhibitors of human carbonic anhydrases

A series of N-substituted and N,N-disubstituted β-amino acids and their derivatives bearing benzenesulfonamide moiety were designed and synthesized in search of compounds that would be high-affinity and selective inhibitors of human carbonic anhydrases (CA). There are 12 catalytically active human CA isoforms, the cytosolic CA I, CA II, CA III, CA VII, and CA XIII, secreted CA VI, the mitochondrial CA VA and CA VB, membrane-associated CA IV, and transmembrane CA IX, CA XII, and CA XIV. The di-bromo meta-substituted compounds exhibited low nanomolar dissociation constants and over 10-fold selectivity for mitochondrial isozyme CA VB, implicated in diseases of the central nervous system and obesity. These compounds can be used for further development as inhibitors of significant binding affinity and selectivity towards CA VB isozyme.

Apoptosis-induced ectodomain shedding of hypoxia-regulated carbonic anhydrase IX from tumor cells: a double-edged response to chemotherapy.

BackgroundCarbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) is a tumor-associated, highly active, transmembrane carbonic anhydrase isoform regulated by hypoxia and implicated in pH control and adhesion-migration-invasion. CA IX ectodomain (ECD) is shed from the tumor cell surface to serum/plasma of patients, where it can signify cancer prognosis. We previously showed that the CA IX ECD release is mediated by disintegrin and metalloproteinase ADAM17. Here we investigated the CA IX ECD shedding in tumor cells undergoing apoptosis in response to cytotoxic drugs, including cycloheximide and doxorubicin.MethodsPresence of cell surface CA IX was correlated to the extent of apoptosis by flow cytometry in cell lines with natural or ectopic CA IX expression. CA IX ECD level was assessed by ELISA using CA IX-specific monoclonal antibodies. Effect of recombinant CA IX ECD on the activation of molecular pathways was evaluated using the cell-based dual-luciferase reporter assay.ResultsWe found a significantly lower occurrence of apoptosis in the CA IX-positive cell subpopulation than in the CA IX-negative one. We also demonstrated that the cell-surface CA IX level dropped during the death progress due to an increased ECD shedding, which required a functional ADAM17. Inhibitors of metalloproteinases reduced CA IX ECD shedding, but not apoptosis. The CA IX ECD release induced by cytotoxic drugs was connected to elevated expression of CA IX in the surviving fraction of cells. Moreover, an externally added recombinant CA IX ECD activated a pathway driven by the Nanog transcription factor implicated in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness.ConclusionsThese findings imply that the increased level of the circulating CA IX ECD might be useful as an indicator of an effective antitumor chemotherapy. Conversely, elevated CA IX ECD might generate unwanted effects through autocrine/paracrine signaling potentially contributing to resistance and tumor progression.

Monoclonal antibody G250 targeting CA Ⅸ: Binding specificity, internalization and therapeutic effects in a non-renal cancer model.

G250 (Girentuximab) is a chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) currently being evaluated as an immunotherapy for kidney cancer. It targets carbonic anhydrase protein (CA Ⅸ), a transmembrane carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoform, which is regulated by VHL/HIF pathway and hence expressed in the majority of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) as well as in hypoxic non‑RCC tumours. CA Ⅸ functions in pH regulation and cell migration/invasion, and supports tumour cell survival in hypoxia and/or acidosis. It contains a highly active extracellular catalytic domain (CA) extended N-terminally with a proteoglycan-like region and C-terminally with short transmembrane and intracellular regions. Here we characterize the binding and internalization properties of G250, as well as its therapeutic effects in animal model, and discuss the impact of G250‑mediated immunotherapy in non‑RCC tumours. We demonstrated that G250 MAb recognizes a conformational epitope in the CA domain, detects the soluble CA Ⅸ ectodomain (ECD), but not the splicing variant, and does not cross-react with CA Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅻ isoforms. We showed that G250 internalizes via clathrin-coated vesicles, escapes degradation in lysosomes and enters the recycling pathway via the perinuclear compartment. This results in long intracellular persistence and enables consecutive internalization cycles. Moreover, the recycled antibody maintains an intact Fc portion potentially capable of continuous induction of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) response, thus explaining its therapeutic efficacy. Finally, we showed that G250 treatment is effective against HT-29 colorectal carcinoma xenografts that differ from RCC by more heterogeneous, hypoxia-related expression of CA Ⅸ. These results suggest potential therapeutic usefulness of the G250 MAb in non-RCC tumours.

Targeting Carbonic Anhydrases with Fluorescent BODIPY‐Labelled Sulfonamides

AbstractIn the pursuit of dual‐mode imaging agents of the tumour hypoxia markers carbonic anhydrases (CA) IX and XII, sulfonamides 4‐(2‐aminoethyl)benzenesulfonamide and 1,3,4‐thiadiazole were functionalised with a 4,4‐difluoro‐4‐borata‐3a‐azonia‐4a‐aza‐s‐indacene (BODIPY) dye to afford fluorescent aromatic sulfonamide conjugates as potential agents for simultaneous positron emission tomography and fluorescence imaging. Both compounds exhibited nanomolar potency as inhibitors of four CA isoforms: the cytosolic CA I and II, and the transmembrane CA IX and XII. Cell uptake experiments with a CA IX positive and null cell line showed no uptake with the 1,3,4‐thiadiazole species in either cell line, whilst the benzenesulfonamide species showed uniform internalisation in both cell lines that limited these compounds as selective imaging agents.

The role of carbonic anhydrase IX in hypoxia control in OSCC

Tumoral microenvironments play a key role in the evolution of solid tumors. Tumor hypoxia is actively involved in the promotion of genetic instability, the invasive capacity of tumor cells, metastasis, and a worsening of the clinical evolution. Endogenous hypoxia markers are controlled by hypoxia-related genes, formed by HIF-1, which is related to several target genes that involve the energy metabolism, angiogenesis, and transmembrane carbonic anhydrases (CAs), mainly CA-IX that is one of the tumor-related carbonic anhydrases. The goal of this paper is to establish the role of CA-IX as a hypoxia marker in OSCC, while analyzing its expression in this type of tumors and its relationship with several clinical and pathological parameters and prognosis, evaluating its relationship with angiogenesis, other hypoxia markers, and clarifying its role in chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance.

ChemInform Abstract: An Inhibitor‐Like Binding Mode of a Carbonic Anhydrase Activator within the Active Site of Isoform II.

AbstractSalt (I), obtained by the Bayer—Piccard synthesis, is investigated as activator of several cytosolic and transmembrane carbonic anhydrase isoforms.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Inhibition of transmembrane isoforms IX, XII, and XIV with less investigated anions including trithiocarbonate and dithiocarbamate

An inhibition study of the transmembrane carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms IX, XII (tumor-associated), and XIV with anions such as stannate(IV), selenate(VI), tellurate(VI), perosmate(VIII), persulfate, pyrophosphate(V), pyrovanadate(V), tetraborate, persulfate, perrhenate(VII), perrutenate(VII), selenocyanate, iminodisulfonate, fluorosulfate, and trithiocarbonate is reported. Selenate, perosmate, and pyrophosphate were ineffective inhibitors, whereas most of these anions inhibited the three enzymes in the millimolar–submillimolar range. Trithiocarbonate and diethyldithiocarbamate were the best CA IX inhibitors ( K Is of 1.4–9.7 μM), but trithiocarbonate showed less affinity for CA XII and XIV ( K Is of 0.12–0.66 mM). N, N-Diethyldithiocarbamate was a low micromolar inhibitor also against CA XII and XIV ( K Is of 1.0–1.1 μM), suggesting that this new zinc-binding group ( CS 2 - ) may lead to efficient inhibitors targeting transmembrane CAs.

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.

QSAR studies for the inhibition of the transmembrane carbonic anhydrase isozyme XIV with sulfonamides using PRECLAV software

QSAR studies for the inhibition of isozyme XIV of human carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) by a series of sulfonamides including clinically used derivatives (acetazolamide, methazolamide, ethoxzolamide, dichlorophenamide, dorzolamide, brinzolamide, benzolamide, and zonisamide) are presented. Statistical calculations done using the PRECLAV program, for the correlation between the observed inhibition values and the calculated ones were good (s = 0.2416, r2 = 0.9259, F = 75.0196, ). The obtained results by using PRECLAV descriptors have been compared with those where the descriptors have been calculated with HYPERCHEM. The obtained QSAR equations pointed out the fact that the CA inhibitory activity decreased for unsubstituted (at the organic scaffold) aromatic/heteroaromatic sulfonamides, but was favored by the presence of alkyl groups substituting the scaffold, which led to a higher internal topological diversity, as well as by the presence of condensed aromatic rings in the structure of these enzyme inhibitors.

Expression of transmembrane carbonic anhydrases, CAIX and CAXII, in human development

BackgroundTransmembrane CAIX and CAXII are members of the alpha carbonic anhydrase (CA) family. They play a crucial role in differentiation, proliferation, and pH regulation. Expression of CAIX and CAXII proteins in tumor tissues is primarily induced by hypoxia and this is particularly true for CAIX, which is regulated by the transcription factor, hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). Their distributions in normal adult human tissues are restricted to highly specialized cells that are not always hypoxic. The human fetus exists in a relatively hypoxic environment. We examined expression of CAIX, CAXII and HIF-1α in the developing human fetus and postnatal tissues to determine whether expression of CAIX and CAXII is exclusively regulated by HIF-1.ResultsThe co-localization of CAIX and HIF-1α was limited to certain cell types in embryonic and early fetal tissues. Those cells comprised the primitive mesenchyma or involved chondrogenesis and skin development. Transient CAIX expression was limited to immature tissues of mesodermal origin and the skin and ependymal cells. The only tissues that persistently expressed CAIX protein were coelomic epithelium (mesothelium) and its remnants, the epithelium of the stomach and biliary tree, glands and crypt cells of duodenum and small intestine, and the cells located at those sites previously identified as harboring adult stem cells in, for example, the skin and large intestine. In many instances co-localization of CAIX and HIF-1α was not evident. CAXII expression is restricted to cells involved in secretion and water absorption such as parietal cells of the stomach, acinar cells of the salivary glands and pancreas, epithelium of the large intestine, and renal tubules. Co-localization of CAXII with CAIX or HIF-1α was not observed.ConclusionThe study has showed that: 1) HIF-1α and CAIX expression co- localized in many, but not all, of the embryonic and early fetal tissues; 2) There is no evidence of co-localization of CAIX and CAXII; 3) CAIX and CAXII expression is closely related to cell origin and secretory activity involving proton transport, respectively. The intriguing finding of rare CAIX-expressing cells in those sites corresponding to stem cell niches requires further investigation.

Cancer-Associated Carbonic Anhydrases and Their Inhibition

Cells of the growing tumor tissue are exposed to physiological stresses connected with insufficient delivery of oxygen (hypoxia) and accumulation of acidic products of the glycolytic metabolism (acidosis). Adaptation to these microenvironmental stresses involves remodeling of the cellular expression program mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), which activates broad array of genes functionally involved in angiogenesis, anaerobic glycolysis, de-adhesion, invasion etc. This leads to increased aggressiveness of tumors, metastatic spread and poor response to therapy. Genes coding for transmembrane carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoforms IX and XII are induced in response to low oxygen as a part of the hypoxic transcriptome. Moreover, CA IX is a direct target of HIF and serves as a surrogate marker of hypoxia and prognostic indicator. Its expression is strongly linked to different types of tumors with the HIF pathway activated due to genetic defect or physiological hypoxia. CA IX (and possibly also CA XII) is participates in pH regulation, which is important for survival of hypoxic cells. Both enzymes are therefore promising therapeutic molecules targetable by inhibitors of CA activity. Some of these sulfonamide compounds and their derivatives are capable to block CA-mediated pH regulation in hypoxia. This review summarizes research data related to distribution, regulation and functional aspects of CA IX and CA XII, and describes emerging possibilities for clinical exploitation of CA inhibitors as imaging tools and anticancer drugs.

Induction of carbonic anhydrase IX by hypoxia and chemical disruption of oxygen sensing in rat fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes

CA IX is an active transmembrane carbonic anhydrase isoform functionally implicated in cell adhesion and pH control. Human CA IX is strongly induced by hypoxia and frequently associated with various tumors. In this study, we investigated the expression of the rat CA IX in response to chronic hypoxia and to treatment with chemical compounds that disrupt oxygen sensing, including dimethyloxalylglycine, dimethylester succinate, diazoxide, and tempol. We brought the evidence that expression of CA IX is regulated by hypoxia and hypoxia-mimicking compounds in immortalized Rat2 fibroblasts and BP6 rat fibrosarcoma cells in a cell-type-specific manner. We also demonstrated, for the first time, that CA IX is expressed in hypoxic primary rat cardiomyocytes and in immortalized H9c2 cardiomyocytes exposed to physiological or chemical hypoxia and that CA IX expression is increased in hypoxic rat tissues in vivo. Our findings suggest that CA IX expression is not limited to cancer but may be also induced in other pathological situations associated with ischemia or metabolic disturbances leading to activation of the HIF pathway. These data support the view that rats can represent useful model for studies of CA IX as a component of endogenous protection mechanisms associated with hypoxia or perturbed oxygen sensing.

Hypoxia-inducible expression of the mouse carbonic anhydrase IX demonstrated by new monoclonal antibodies

CA IX is a transmembrane carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme predominantly expressed in human tumors in response to hypoxia and functionally implicated in adaptation of tumor cells to hypoxic stress via control of pH and cell adhesion. Intense investigations of the human CA IX as a hypoxic marker and a therapeutic target have been facilitated by specific monoclonal antibodies. However, no such reagents existed for the mouse CA IX ortholog. We generated five new anti-mouse CA IX monoclonal antibodies AM1-4, AM4-3, AM27-4, AM34-7 and AM35-1 produced using CA IX-deficient mice. The antibodies are suitable for various immunodetection methods including immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Using these reagents we show that the mouse CA IX is expressed in three out of nine tested mouse cell lines, namely in L929, MEF and TSA and is regulated by hypoxia and cell density similarly to human CA IX. We also demonstrate that the mouse CA IX exhibits hypoxia-related expression pattern in multicellular spheroids and in tumor xenografts. Our results indicate the use of the mouse model as suitable for further studies of CA IX role in tumor development and for its pre-clinical investigations. The new monoclonal antibodies represent potent tools for accomplishment of these future studies.