Novel 2-(hydrazinocarbonyl)-3-phenyl-1H-indole-5-sulfonamide based thiosemicarbazides as potent and selective inhibitors of tumor-associated human carbonic anhydrase IX and XII: Synthesis, cytotoxicity, and molecular modelling studies

In the pursuit of discovering new selective carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors, a small collection of novel thiosemicarbazides (5a-5t) were designed and synthesized starting from 2-(hydrazinocarbonyl)-3-phenyl-1H-indole-5-sulfonamide which was evaluated as a potent inhibitor of different CA isoforms in a previous study. The newly synthesized compounds were examined against four human carbonic anhydrases (hCA), namely transmembrane tumor-related hCA IX/XII and cytosolic widespread off-targets hCA I/II. In enzyme inhibition assays, all nineteen compounds display up to ∼340-fold selectivity for hCA IX/XII over off-target isoforms hCA I/II. Four compounds have enzyme inhibition values (Ki) lower than 10 nM against tumor-associated isoforms hCA IX/XII including two compounds in the subnanomolar range (5r and 5s; hCA XII; Ki: 0.69 and 0.87 nM). The potential binding interactions of the most potent compounds against hCA IX and XII, compounds 5s and 5r, respectively, were investigated using ensemble docking and molecular dynamics studies. Cell viability assays using human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 and healthy skin fibroblasts CCD-86Sk show that compound 5e selectively inhibits HT-29 cancer cell proliferation (IC50: 53.32 ± 7.74 µM for HT-29; IC50: 74.64 ± 14.15 µM for CCD-986Sk). Finally, Western blot assays show that compounds 5e and 5r significantly reduce the expression of hCA XII in HT-29 cells. Moreover, 5e shows better cytotoxic activity in hypoxia compared to normoxic conditions. Altogether, the newly designed compounds show stronger inhibition of the tumor-associated hCA IX and XII isoforms and several tested compounds show selective cytotoxicity as well as downregulation of hCA XII expression.

Benzothiadiazinone-1,1-Dioxide Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors Suppress the Growth of Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains

2H-Benzo[e][1,2,4]thiadiazin-3(4H)-one 1,1-dioxide (BTD) based carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitors are here explored as new anti-mycobacterial agents. The chemical features of BTD derivatives meet the criteria for a potent inhibition of β-class CA isozymes. BTD derivatives show chemical features meeting the criteria for a potent inhibition of β-class CA isozymes. Specifically, three β-CAs (MtCA1, MtCA2, and MtCA3) were identified in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and their inhibition was shown to exert an antitubercular action. BTDs derivatives 2a-q effectively inhibited the mycobacterial CAs, especially MtCA2 and MtCA3, with Ki values up to a low nanomolar range (MtCA3, Ki = 15.1-2250 nM; MtCA2, Ki = 38.1-4480 nM) and with a significant selectivity ratio over the off-target human CAs I and II. A computational study was conducted to elucidate the compound structure-activity relationship. Importantly, the most potent MtCA inhibitors demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting the growth of M. tuberculosis strains resistant to both rifampicin and isoniazid-standard reference drugs for Tuberculosis treatment.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity of phthalimide-capped benzene sulphonamide derivatives

A series of phthalimide-capped benzene sulphonamides (1-22) reported by our group for dengue protease inhibitory activity have been evaluated for their carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitory activity against hCA I, hCA II. Compounds 1, 3, 10, and 15 showed hCA I inhibition, whereas 1, 4, and 10 showed hCA II inhibition at nanomolar concentrations. Among these compounds, 1 displayed potent inhibitory activity against the hCA I (Ki = 28.5 nM) and hCA II (Ki = 2.2 nM), being 10 and 6 times more potent than acetazolamide, a standard inhibitor (Ki = 250 nM and 12 nM), respectively. Furthermore, this compound displayed 14-fold selectivity towards the hCA II isoform compared to hCA I. Molecular docking and MD simulations were performed to understand the atomic level interactions responsible for the selectivity of compound 1 towards hCA II.

Design, synthesis, and carbonic anhydrase inhibition activities of Schiff bases incorporating benzenesulfonamide scaffold: Molecular docking application

In this study, The inhibitory actions of human carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) (hCA) isoforms I, II, IX, and XII are being examined using recently synthesized substituted hydroxyl Schiff derivatives based on the quinazoline scaffold 4-22. Quinazolines 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 18 reduce the activity of hCA I isoform effectively to a Ki of 87.6-692.3 nM, which is nearly equivalent to or more potent than that of the standard drug AAZ (Ki, 250.0 nM). Similarly, quinazolines 2, 3, and 5 and quinazoline 14 effectively decrease the inhibitory activity of the hCA II isoform to a KI of 16.9-29.7 nM, comparable to that of AAZ (Ki, 12.0 nM). The hCA IX isoform activity is substantially diminished by quinazolines 2-12 and 14-21 (Ki, 8.9-88.3 nM against AAZ (Ki, 25.0 nM). Further, the activity of the hCA XII isoform is markedly inhibited by the quinazolines 3, 5, 7, 14, and 16 (Ki, 5.4-19.5 nM). Significant selectivity levels are demonstrated for inhibiting tumour-associated isoforms hCA IX over hCAI, for sulfonamide derivatives 6-15 (SI; 10.68-186.29), and 17-22 (SI; 12.52-57.65) compared to AAZ (SI; 10.0). Sulfonamide derivatives 4-22 (SI; 0.50-20.77) demonstrated a unique selectivity in the concurrent inhibition of hCA IX over hCA II compared to AAZ (SI; 0.48). Simultaneously, benzenesulfonamide derivative 14 revealed excellent selectivity for inhibiting hCA XII over hCA I (SI; 60.35), whereas compounds 5-8, 12-14, 16, and 18-22 demonstrated remarkable selectivity for hCA XII inhibitory activity over hCA II (SI; 2.09-7.27) compared to AAZ (SI; 43.86 and 2.10, respectively). Molecular docking studies additionally support 8 to hCA IX and XII binding, thus indicating its potential as a lead compound for inhibitor development.

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibition Activities of Schiff's Bases Based on Quinazoline-Linked Benzenesulfonamide

Human carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) (hCA) isoforms I, II, IX, and XII were investigated for their inhibitory activity with a series of new Schiff's bases based on quinazoline scaffold 4-27. The hCA I isoform was efficiently inhibited by Schiff's bases 4-6, 10-19, 22-27 and had an inhibition constant (Ki) value of 52.8-991.7 nM compared with AAZ (Ki, 250 nM). Amongst the quinazoline derivatives, the compounds 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 16, 18, 24, 26, and 27 were proven to be effective hCA II inhibitors, with Ki values of 10.8-52.6 nM, measuring up to AAZ (Ki, 12 nM). Compounds 2-27 revealed compelling hCA IX inhibitory interest with Ki values of 10.5-99.6 nM, rivaling AAZ (Ki, 25.0 nM). Quinazoline derivatives 3, 10, 11, 13, 15-19, and 24 possessed potent hCA XII inhibitory activities with K_I values of 5.4-25.5 nM vs. 5.7 nM of AAZ. Schiff's bases 7, 8, 9, and 21 represented attractive antitumor hCA IX carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) with K_I rates (22.0, 34.8, 49.2, and 45.3 nM, respectively). Compounds 5, 7, 8, 9, 14, 18, 19, and 21 showed hCA I inhibitors on hCA IX with a selectivity index of 22.46-107, while derivatives 12, 14, and 18 showed selective hCA I inhibitors on hCA XII with a selectivity profile of 45.04-58.58, in contrast to AAZ (SI, 10.0 and 43.86). Compounds 2, 5, 7-14, 19-23, and 25 showed a selectivity profile for hCA II inhibitors over hCA IX with a selectivity index of 2.02-19.67, whereas derivatives 5, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 17, 20, 21, and 22 showed selective hCA II inhibitors on hCA XII with a selectivity profile of 4.84-26.60 balanced to AAZ (SI, 0.48 and 2.10).

The three-tails approach as a new strategy to improve selectivity of action of sulphonamide inhibitors against tumour-associated carbonic anhydrase IX and XII

Human (h) carbonic anhydrase (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms IX and XII were recently confirmed as anticancer targets against solid hypoxic tumours. The “three-tails approach” has been proposed as an extension of the forerunner “tail” and “dual-tail approach” to fully exploit the amino acid differences at the medium/outer active site rims among different hCAs and to obtain more isoform-selective inhibitors. Many three-tailed inhibitors (TTIs) showed higher selectivity against the tumour-associated isoforms hCA IX and XII with respect to the off-targets hCA I and II. X-ray crystallography studies were performed to investigate the binding mode of four TTIs in complex with a hCA IX mimic. The ability of the most potent and selective TTIs to reduce in vitro the viability of colon cancer (HT29), prostate adenocarcinoma (PC3), and breast cancer (ZR75-1) cell lines was evaluated in normoxic (21% O₂) and hypoxic (3% O₂) conditions demonstrating relevant anti-proliferative effects.

Calixarenes Incorporating Sulfonamide Moieties: Versatile Ligands for Carbonic Anhydrases Inhibition

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) continue to represent a relevant pharmaceutical target. The need of selective inhibitors and the involvement of these metalloenzymes in many multifaceted diseases boost the search for new ligands able to distinguish among the different CA isoforms, and for multifunctional systems simultaneously able to inhibit CAs and to interfere with other pathological events by interacting with additional targets. In this work, we successfully explored the possibility of preparing new CAs ligands by combining calixarenes with benzensulfonamide units. Inhibition tests towards three human CA isoforms evidenced, for some of the ligands, K_i values in the nanomolar range and promising selectivity. X-ray and molecular modeling studies provided information on the mode of binding of these calixarene derivatives. Thanks to the encouraging results and the structural features typical of the calixarene scaffold, it is then possible to plan for the future the design of multifunctional inhibitors for this class of widely spread enzymes.

Vanillin enones as selective inhibitors of the cancer associated carbonic anhydrase isoforms IX and XII. The out of the active site pocket for the design of selective inhibitors?

New C-glycosides and α,β-unsaturated ketones incorporating the 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl (vanillin) moiety as inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms have been investigated. The inhibition profile of these compounds is presented against four human CA (hCA) isozymes, comprising hCAs I and II (cytosolic, ubiquitous enzymes) and hCAs IX and XII (tumour associated isozymes). Docking analysis of the inhibitors within the active sites of these enzymes has been performed and is discussed, showing that the observed selectivity could be explained in terms of an alternative pocket out of the CA active site where some of these compounds may bind. Several derivatives were identified as selective inhibitors of the tumour-associated hCA IX and XII. Their discovery might be a step in the strategy for finding an effective non-sulfonamide CA inhibitor useful in therapy/diagnosis of hypoxic tumours or other pathologies in which CA isoforms are involved.

Exploring of tumor-associated carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme IX and XII inhibitory effects and cytotoxicities of the novel N-aryl-1-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-5-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamides

A series of novel N-aryl-1-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-5-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamides was synthesized and examined as inhibitors of cytosolic (human) hCA I and hCA II, and cancer-related transmembrane hCA IX and hCA XII isoenzymes. AC2 was the most selective inhibitor towards cancer-related hCA IX while AC8 and AC9 selectively inhibited hCA XII over off-target isoenzymes. Anticancer effects of the compounds were evaluated towards human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines, human mesenchymal normal oral cells, breast (MCF7), prostate (PC3), non-small cell lung carcinoma cells (A549), and non-tumoral fetal lung fibroblast cells (MRC5). Compounds moderately showed cytotoxicity towards cancer cell lines. Among others, AC6 showed cell-specific cytotoxic activity and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner without a significant change in the cell cycle distribution of MCF7. These results suggest that pyrazole-3-carboxamides need further molecular modification to increase their anticancer drug candidate potency.

Discovery of potent nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase3 (NPP3) inhibitors with ancillary carbonic anhydrase inhibition for cancer (immuno)therapy

Nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase3 (NPP3) catalyzes the hydrolysis of extracellular nucleotides. It is expressed by immune cells and some carcinomas, e.g. of kidney and colon. Together with ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73), NPP3 produces immunosuppressive, cancer-promoting adenosine, and has therefore been proposed as a target for cancer therapy. Here we report on the discovery of 4-[(4-methylphthalazin-1-yl)amino]benzenesulfonamide (1) as an inhibitor of human NPP3 identified by compound library screening. Subsequent structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies led to the potent competitive NPP3 inhibitor 2-methyl-5-{4-[(4-sulfamoylphenyl)amino]phthalazin-1-yl}benzenesulfonamide (23, K i 53.7 nM versus the natural substrate ATP). Docking studies predicted its binding pose and interactions. While 23 displayed high selectivity versus other ecto-nucleotidases, it showed ancillary inhibition of two proposed anti-cancer targets, the carbonic anhydrases CA-II (Ki 74.7 nM) and CA-IX (Ki 20.3 nM). Thus, 23 may act as multi-target anti-cancer drug. SARs for NPP3 were steeper than for CAs leading to the identification of potent dual CA-II/CA-IX (e.g. 34) as well as selective CA-IX inhibitors (e.g. 31).

Zeta-carbonic anhydrases show CS2 hydrolase activity: A new metabolic carbon acquisition pathway in diatoms?

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CDCA1 is a carbonic anhydrase that can utilize Zn(II) or Cd(II) as catalytic metal.

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CDCA1 has been the first enzyme to show an efficient utilization of Cd(II) ions in Nature.

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By using a multidisciplinary approach, we discovered that CS₂ is a substrate for this enzyme.

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CDCA1 is the unique enzyme, known so far, able to use both CS₂ and CO₂ as substrates.

CDCA1 is a very peculiar member of the Carbonic Anhydrase (CA) family. It has been the first enzyme to show an efficient utilization of Cd(II) ions in Nature and a unique adaptation capability to live on the surface ocean. Indeed, in this environment, which is extremely depleted in essential metal ions, CDCA1 can utilize Zn(II) or Cd(II) as catalytic metal to support the metabolic needs of fast growing diatoms. In this paper we demonstrate a further catalytic versatility of this enzyme by using a combination of X-ray crystallography, molecular dynamics simulations and enzymatic experiments. First we identified the CO₂ binding site and the way in which this substrate travels from the environment to the enzyme active site. Then, starting from the observation of a structural similarity with the substrate entry route of CS₂ hydrolase from Acidanius A1-3, we hypothesized and demonstrated that also CS₂ is a substrate for CDCA1. This finding is new and unexpected since until now only few CS₂ hydrolases have been characterized, and none of them is reported to have any CO₂ hydratase action. The physiological implications of this supplementary catalytic activity still remain to be unveiled. We suggest here that it could represent another ability of diatoms expressing CDCA1 to adapt to the external environment. Indeed, the ability of this enzyme to convert CS₂ could represent an alternative source of carbon acquisition for diatoms, in addition to CO₂.

Comprehensive study on potent and selective carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Synthesis, bioactivities and molecular modelling studies of 4-(3-(2-arylidenehydrazine-1-carbonyl)-5-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-1-yl) benzenesulfonamides

In this research, rational design, synthesis, carbonic anhydrases (CAs) inhibitory effects, and cytotoxicities of the 4-(3-(2-arylidenehydrazine-1-carbonyl)-5-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-1-yl)benzenesulfonamides 1-20 were reported. Compound 18 (Ki = 7.0 nM) was approximately 127 times more selective cancer-associated hCA IX inhibitor over hCA I, while compound 17 (Ki = 10.6 nM) was 47 times more selective inhibitor of hCA XI over hCA II compared to the acetazolamide. Compounds 11 (CC50 = 5.2 μM) and 20 (CC50 = 1.6 μM) showed comparative tumor-specificity (TS= > 38.5; >128.2) with doxorubicin (TS > 43.0) towards HSC-2 cancer cell line. Western blot analysis demonstrated that 11 induced slightly apoptosis whereas 20 did not induce detectable apoptosis. A preliminary analysis showed that some correlation of tumor-specificity of 1-20 with the chemical descriptors that reflect hydrophobic volume, dipole moment, lowest hydrophilic energy, and topological structure. Molecular docking simulations were applied to the synthesized ligands to elucidate the predicted binding mode and selectivity profiles towards hCA I, hCA II, and hCA IX.

Sulphonamide inhibition profile of Staphylococcus aureus β-carbonic anhydrase

This paper presents the production and kinetic and inhibitory characterisation of β-carbonic anhydrase from the opportunistic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (SauBCA). From the eight different carbonic anhydrase (CA) families known to date, humans have only the α-form, whereas many clinically relevant pathogens have β- and/or γ-form(s). Based on this discovery, β- and γ-CAs have been introduced as promising new anti-infective targets. The results of this study revealed that recombinant SauBCA possesses significant CO₂ hydration activity with a k_cat of 1.46 × 10⁵ s^-1 and a k_cat/K_M of 2.56 × 10⁷ s^{- 1}M^-1. Its enzymatic function was inhibited by various sulphonamides in the nanomolar - micromolar range, and the K_i of acetazolamide was 628 nM. The best inhibitor was the clinically used sulfamide agent famotidine (K_i of 71 nM). The least efficient inhibitors were zonisamide and dorzolamide. Our work encourages further investigations of SauBCA in an attempt to discover novel drugs against staphylococcal infections.

Toxicity evaluation of sulfamides and coumarins that efficiently inhibit human carbonic anhydrases

Here, we report a toxicity study, conducted on zebrafish larvae, of a series of coumarin and sulfamide compounds that were previously reported as inhibitors of human (h) metalloenzymes, carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1). Due to the high relevance of hCA inhibitors as theragnostic agents, it is of pivotal importance to address safety issues that may arise from the initial in vivo toxicological assessment using zebrafish, a relevant model for biomedical research. None of the reported compounds showed adverse phenotypic effects or tissue damage on developing zebrafish larvae after 5 days of exposure. Our study suggests that the coumarin and sulfamide derivatives considered here are safe and suitable for further development and testing.

Escherichia coli γ-carbonic anhydrase: characterisation and effects of simple aromatic/heterocyclic sulphonamide inhibitors

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) are ubiquitous metalloenzymes involved in biosynthetic processes, transport, supply, and balance of CO₂/HCO₃^- into the cell. In Bacteria, CAs avoid the depletion of the dissolved CO₂/HCO₃^- from the cell, providing them to the central metabolism that is compromised without the CA activity. The involvement of CAs in the survival, pathogenicity, and virulence of several bacterial pathogenic species is recent. Here, we report the kinetic properties of the recombinant γ-CA (EcoCAγ) encoded in the genome of Escherichia coli. EcoCAγ is an excellent catalyst for the physiological CO₂ hydration reaction to bicarbonate and protons, with a k_cat of 5.7 × 10⁵ s⁻¹ and k_cat/K_M of 6.9 × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The EcoCAγ inhibition profile with a broad series of known CA inhibitors, the substituted benzene-sulphonamides, and clinically licenced drugs was explored. Benzolamide showed a K_I lower than 100 nM. Our study reinforces the hypothesis that the synthesis of new drugs capable of interfering selectively with the bacterial CA activity, avoiding the inhibition of the human α -CAs, is achievable and may lead to novel antibacterials.

Discovery of Potent Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors as Effective Anticonvulsant Agents: Drug Design, Synthesis, and In Vitro and In Vivo Investigations

Two sets of benzenesulfonamide-based effective human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) inhibitors have been developed using the tail approach. The inhibitory action of these novel molecules was examined against four isoforms: hCA I, hCA II, hCA VII, and hCA XII. Most of the molecules disclosed low to medium nanomolar range inhibition against all tested isoforms. Some of the synthesized derivatives selectively inhibited the epilepsy-involved isoforms hCA II and hCA VII, showing low nanomolar affinity. The anticonvulsant activity of selected sulfonamides was assessed using the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (sc-PTZ) in vivo models of epilepsy. These potent CA inhibitors effectively inhibited seizures in both epilepsy models. The most effective compounds showed long duration of action and abolished MES-induced seizures up to 6 h after drug administration. These sulfonamides were found to be orally active anticonvulsants, being nontoxic in neuronal cell lines and in animal models.

Benzyl alcohol inhibits carbonic anhydrases by anchoring to the zinc coordinated water molecule

Up to date alcohols have been scarcely investigated as carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitors. To get more insights into the CA inhibition properties of this class of molecules, in this paper, by means of inhibition assays and X-ray crystallographic studies we report a detailed characterization of the CA inhibition properties and the binding mode to human CA II of benzyl alcohol. Results show that, although possessing a very simple scaffold, this molecule acts as a micromolar CA II inhibitor, which anchors to the enzyme active site by means of an H-bond interaction with the zinc bound solvent molecule. Taken together our results clearly indicate primary alcohols as a class of CA inhibitors that deserve to be more investigated.

Biological evaluation, radiosensitizing activity and structural insights of novel halogenated quinazoline-sulfonamide conjugates as selective human carbonic anhydrases IX/XII inhibitors

A library of iodoquinazolinones endowed with benzenesulfonamide moiety was designed and synthesized as human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) inhibitors. Compounds 4-17 showed generally poor activity against the cytosolic hCA I and hCA II isoforms. Contrarily they were more potent and showed a variable spectrum of selectivity against the tumor-specific isoforms hCA IX and hCA XII. The 4-iodophenyl derivative 12 and the 4-pyridinyl derivative 15 were the most active and selective in this series against hCA IX and hCA XII isoforms with K_I of 18 and 9 nM, respectively. Compounds 12 and 15 were further screened for their cytotoxicity against MCF-7, HepG-2 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines besides WI38 and MCF-10A normal cell lines to determine their selectivity towards cancer cells. Compound 12 was selective towards HepG-2 and HCT-116 cell lines but less selective towards MCF-7. While compound 15 showed higher selectivity towards HepG-2 than HCT-116 and MCF-7 cell lines. The ability of compounds 12 and 15 to sensitize the cells against gamma irradiation's effect proved their potential radiosensitizing activity. Molecular docking analysis was carried out to discover the possible binding mode of the compounds within the active site of isoform hCA IX and XII. Compounds 12 and 15 revealed the probable fundamental interactions explaining the good activity and selectivity towards the tumor-specific isoforms.

S-substituted 2-mercaptoquinazolin-4(3H)-one and 4-ethylbenzensulfonamides act as potent and selective human carbonic anhydrase IX and XII inhibitors

We evaluated the hCA (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitory activity of novel 4-(2-(2-substituted-thio-4-oxoquinazolin-3(4H)-yl)ethyl)benzenesulfonamides (compounds 2–20) towards the isoforms I, II, IX, and XII. hCA Isoforms were effectively inhibited by most of new compounds comparable to those of AAZ. Compounds 2 and 4 showed interestingly efficient and selective antitumor (hCA IX and hCA XII) inhibitor activities (K_Is; 40.7, 13.0, and 8.0, 10.8 nM, respectively). Compounds 4 and 5 showed selective hCA IX inhibitory activity over hCA I (SI; 95 and 24), hCA IX/hCA II (SI; 23 and 5.8) and selective hCA XII inhibitory activity over hCA I (SI; 70 and 44), hCA XII/hCA II, (SI; 17 and 10) respectively compared to AAZ. Compounds 12–17, and 19–20 showed selective inhibitory activity towards hCA IX over hCA I and hCA II, with selectivity ranges of 27–195 and 3.2–19, respectively, while compounds 12, 14–17, and 19 exhibited selective inhibition towards hCA XII over hCA I and hCA II, with selectivity ratios of 48–158 and 5.4–31 respectively, compared to AAZ. Molecular docking analysis was carried out to investigate the selective interactions among the most active derivatives, 17 and 20 and hCAs isoenzymes. Compounds 17 and 20, which are highly selective CA IX and XII inhibitors, exhibited excellent interaction within the putative binding site of both enzymes, comparable to the co-crystallized inhibitors.

Highlights

Quinazoline-linked ethylbenzenesulfonamides inhibiting CA were synthesised.

The new molecules potently inhibited the hCA isoforms I, II, IV, and IX.

Compounds 4 and 5 were found to be selective hCA IX/hCA I and hCA IX/hCA II inhibitors.

Compounds 4 and 5 were found to be selective hCA XII/hCA I and hCA XII/hCA II inhibitors.

Compounds 12–17, 19, and 20 were found to be selective hCA IX/hCA I and hCA IX/hCA II inhibitors.

Compounds 12, 14–17, 19 were found to be selective hCA XII/hCA I and hCA XII/hCA II inhibitors.

Graphical Abstract

Compounds 4 and 5 are selective hCA IX and XII inhibitors over hCA I (selectivity ratios of 95, 23, and 24, 5.8, respectively) and hCA II (selectivity ratios of 70, 17, and 44, 10 respectively). Compounds 12–17, and 19–20 are selective hCA IX inhibitors over hCA I (selectivity ratios of 27-195) and hCA II (selectivity ratios of 3.2-19). Compounds 12, 14–17 and 19 are also selective hCA XII inhibitors over hCA I (selectivity ratios of 48-158) and hCA II (selectivity ratios of 5.4-31).

Ninhydrins inhibit carbonic anhydrases directly binding to the metal ion

Ninhydrins show extensive application in organic chemistry and agriculture whereas they have been poorly investigated as bioactive molecules for medicinal chemistry purposes. A series of ninhydrin derivatives was here investigated for the inhibition of human carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1), based on earlier evidence that gem diols are able to coordinate the metal ion from the CA active site. Ninhydrins demonstrated a micromolar inhibitory action against CA I and IX (K_Is in the range 0.57-68.2 μM) and up to a nanomolar efficacy against CA II and VII (K_Is in the range 0.025-78.2 μM), validated isoforms as targets in several CNS-related diseases. CA IV was instead weakly or poorly inhibited. A computational protocol based on docking, MM-GBSA and metadynamics calculations was used to elucidate the putative binding mode of this type of inhibitors to CA II and CA VII. The findings of this study testify that such pharmacologically underestimated ligands may represent interesting lead compounds for the development of CA inhibitors possessing an innovative mechanism of action, i.e., mono- or bis-coordination to the zinc ion through the diol moiety.

Iodoquinazolinones bearing benzenesulfonamide as human carbonic anhydrase I, II, IX and XII inhibitors: Synthesis, biological evaluation and radiosensitizing activity

In the present work, we report the design and synthesis of a set of iodinated quinazolinones carrying benzenesulfonamide moiety as carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors. The target compounds showed promising inhibitory activity against the four examined human (h) CA isoforms; I, II, IX and XII. Compounds 4-18 displayed variable inhibition constants, ranging as follows: 7.6-782.8 nM for hCA I, 34.4-412.1 nM for hCA II, 29.1-2225.3 nM for hCA IX and 8.8-429.4 nM for hCA XII. Compound 9, the most potent against the tumor-specific CA IX/CA XII (KI = 29.1 and 8.8 nM) gives the possibility to evaluate its cytotoxicity and selectivity in vitro against HepG-2, HCT-116 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. Compound 9 showed significant cytotoxicity against the tumor cell lines (IC50 = 1.78, 1.94 and 3.07 μM, respectively) and relatively lower toxicity against WI38 normal cell line. The radiosensitizing activity of compound 9 was evaluated and displayed an increase in the radiation-induced cell death in cancer cells after receiving a single dose of 8 Gy gamma radiation. Thus, radiation was able to enhance the antiproliferative activity of compound 9. Molecular docking of 9 into the active site of CA IX and XII revealed the key interactions that could explain its potent activity and selectivity towards these isoforms.

Structural and biochemical characterization of novel carbonic anhydrases from Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are a well characterized family of metalloenzymes that are highly efficient in facilitating the interconversion between carbon dioxide and bicarbonate. Recently, CA activity has been associated with the LCIB (limiting CO₂-inducible protein B) protein family, which has been an interesting target in aquatic photosynthetic microorganisms. To gain further insight into the catalytic mechanism of this new group of CAs, the X-ray structure of a highly active LCIB homolog (PtLCIB3) from the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum was determined. The CA activities of PtLCIB3, its paralog PtLCIB4 and a variety of their mutants were also measured. It was discovered that PtLCIB3 has a classic β-CA fold and its overall structure is highly similar to that of its homolog PtLCIB4. Subtle structural alterations between PtLCIB3 and PtLCIB4 indicate that an alternative proton-shuttle cavity could perhaps be one reason for their remarkable difference in CA activity. A potential alternative proton-shuttle route in the LCIB protein family is suggested based on these results.

Sulfonamide Inhibitors of Human Carbonic Anhydrases Designed through a Three-Tails Approach: Improving Ligand/Isoform Matching and Selectivity of Action

The “tail approach” has become a milestone in human carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (hCAI) design for various therapeutics, including antiglaucoma agents. Besides the classical hydrophobic/hydrophilic division of hCAs active site, several subpockets have been identified at the middle/outer active sites rim, which could be targeted to increase the CAI isoform selectivity. This postulate is explored here by three-tailed benzenesulfonamide CAIs (TTI) to fully exploit such amino acid differences among hCAs. In this proof-of-concept study, an extensive structure–activity relationship (SAR) study was carried out with 32 such benzenesulfonamides differing in tails combination that were assayed for hCAs I, II, IV, and XII inhibition. A structural study was undertaken by X-ray crystallography and in silico tools to assess the ligand/target interaction mode. The most active and selective inhibitors against isoforms implicated in glaucoma were assessed in a rabbit model of the disease achieving an intraocular pressure-lowering action comparable to the clinically used dorzolamide.

The Effect of Substituted Benzene-Sulfonamides and Clinically Licensed Drugs on the Catalytic Activity of CynT2, a Carbonic Anhydrase Crucial for Escherichia coli Life Cycle

Proteins are relevant antimicrobial drug targets, and among them, enzymes represent a significant group, since most of them catalyze reactions essential for supporting the central metabolism, or are necessary for the pathogen vitality. Genomic exploration of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms has revealed genes encoding for a superfamily of metalloenzymes, known as carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1). CAs catalyze the physiologically crucial reversible reaction of the carbon dioxide hydration to bicarbonate and protons. Herein, we investigated the sulfonamide inhibition profile of the recombinant β-CA (CynT2) identified in the genome of the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. This biocatalyst is indispensable for the growth of the microbe at atmospheric pCO₂. Surprisingly, this enzyme has not been investigated for its inhibition with any class of CA inhibitors. Here, we show that CynT2 was strongly inhibited by some substituted benzene-sulfonamides and the clinically used inhibitor sulpiride (K_Is in the range of 82–97 nM). This study may be relevant for identifying novel CA inhibitors, as well as for another essential part of the drug discovery pipeline, such as the structure–activity relationship for this class of enzyme inhibitors.

Phenyl(thio)phosphon(amid)ate Benzenesulfonamides as Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Human Carbonic Anhydrases II and VII Counteract Allodynia in a Mouse Model of Oxaliplatin-Induced Neuropathy

Human carbonic anhydrase (CA; EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms II and VII are implicated in neuronal excitation, seizures, and neuropathic pain (NP). Their selective inhibition over off-target CAs is expected to produce an anti-NP action devoid of side effects due to promiscuous CA modulation. Here, a drug design strategy based on the observation of (dis)similarities between the target CA active sites was planned with benzenesulfonamide derivatives and, for the first time, a phosphorus-based linker. Potent and selective CA II/VII inhibitors were identified among the synthesized phenyl(thio)phosphon(amid)ates 3-22. X-ray crystallography depicted the binding mode of phosphonic acid 3 to both CAs II and VII. The most promising derivatives, after evaluation of their stability in acidic media, were tested in a mouse model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy. The most potent compound racemic mixture was subjected to HPLC enantioseparation, and the identification of the eutomer, the (S)-enantiomer, allowed to halve the dose totally relieving allodynia in mice.

Hypoxia-Activated Prodrug Derivatives of Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors in Benzenesulfonamide Series: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation

Hypoxia, a common feature of solid tumours' microenvironment, is associated with an aggressive phenotype and is known to cause resistance to anticancer chemo- and radiotherapies. Tumour-associated carbonic anhydrases isoform IX (hCA IX), which is upregulated under hypoxia in many malignancies participating to the microenvironment acidosis, represents a valuable target for drug strategy against advanced solid tumours. To overcome cancer cell resistance and improve the efficacy of therapeutics, the use of bio-reducible prodrugs also known as Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs), represents an interesting strategy to be applied to target hCA IX isozyme through the design of selective carbonic anhydrase IX inhibitors (CAIs). Here, we report the design, synthesis and biological evaluations including CA inhibition assays, toxicity assays on zebrafish and viability assays on human cell lines (HT29 and HCT116) of new HAP-CAIs, harboring different bio-reducible moieties in nitroaromatic series and a benzenesulfonamide warhead to target hCA IX. The CA inhibition assays of this compound series showed a slight selectivity against hCA IX versus the cytosolic off-target hCA II and hCA I isozymes. Toxicity and viability assays have highlighted that the compound bearing the 2-nitroimidazole moiety possesses the lowest toxicity (LC50 of 1400 µM) and shows interesting results on viability assays.

Dual P-Glycoprotein and CA XII Inhibitors: A New Strategy to Reverse the P-gp Mediated Multidrug Resistance (MDR) in Cancer Cells

A new series of N,N-bis(alkanol)amine aryl diesters was synthesized and studied as dual P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and carbonic anhydrase XII inhibitors (CA XII). These hybrids should be able to synergistically overcome P-gp mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells. It was reported that the efflux activity of P-gp could be modulated by CA XII, as the pH reduction caused by CA XII inhibition produces a significant decrease in P-gp ATPase activity. The new compounds reported here feature both P-gp and CA XII binding moieties. These hybrids contain a N,N-bis(alkanol)amine diester scaffold found in P-glycoprotein ligands and a coumarin or benzene sulfonamide moiety to target CA XII. Many compounds displayed a dual activity against P-gp and CA XII being active in the Rhd 123 uptake test on K562/DOX cells and in the hCA XII inhibition test. On LoVo/DOX cells, that overexpress both P-gp and CA XII, some coumarin derivatives showed a high MDR reversal effect in Rhd 123 uptake and doxorubicin cytotoxicity enhancement tests. In particular, compounds 7 and 8 showed higher activity than verapamil and were more potent on LoVo/DOX than on K562/DOX cells overexpressing only P-gp. They can be considered as valuable candidates for selective P-gp/CA XII inhibition in MDR cancer cells.

Synthesis of some N-aroyl-2-oxindole benzenesulfonamide conjugates with carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity

Implication of carbonic anhydrases (CAs) in many physiological functions made them attractive therapeutic targets. Herein, we report the synthesis of three series of benzenesulfonamide-based compounds (5a-e, 9a-e and 10a-e) as potential ligands to four of the human CA isoforms (hCA I, hCA II, hCA IX and hCA XII). All synthesized compounds were evaluated for their CA inhibitory activity. Most of the compounds preferentially inhibited the tumor-associated isoforms IX and XII. Series 9a-e and 10a-e showed the highest activity. Of particular interest was compound 10a which demonstrated the highest activity among all compounds with Ki of 68.3 and 21.5 nM against hCA IX and hCA XII, respectively, in addition to its highest selectivity index. To get deep insight on the interaction of compound 10a with CA, docking experiment was run to study the binding interaction with key amino acids and zinc ion in the catalytic site of the four isoforms studied.

Discovery of Potent Dual-Tailed Benzenesulfonamide Inhibitors of Human Carbonic Anhydrases Implicated in Glaucoma and in Vivo Profiling of Their Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Action

The design of three dual-tailed sulfonamide series 11a-11g, 14a-14h, and 16a-16e as carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors are presented. All compounds were evaluated for inhibitory action against pharmacologically relevant human CA isoforms I, II, IV, and VII. Compounds 11a-11g emerged as potent CA inhibitors against the four tested isoforms with a significant selectivity to CA II, which is implicated in glaucoma (K_i in the range 0.36-6.9 nM). X-ray crystallographic analysis of three compounds (11a, 11d, and 11g) bound to CA II showed the validity of the adopted drug design strategy as specific moieties within the ligand structure interacted directly with the hydrophobic and hydrophilic halves of the CA II active site. Compounds 11b-11d and 11g were evaluated for their intraocular pressure-lowering effects in a rabbit model of glaucoma. 11b and 11d showed significant efficacy when compared to the clinically used drug dorzolamide.

Synthesis and selective inhibitory effects of some 2-oxindole benzenesulfonamide conjugates on human carbonic anhydrase isoforms CA I, CA II, CA IX and CAXII

Three series of 2-oxindole benzenesulfonamide conjugates with different linkers were prepared by the condensation reaction of isatin derivatives 1a-e with different benzenesulfonamides. They were screened for their ability to inhibit human (h) carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms hCA I, hCA II, hCA IX and hCA XII. Many compounds revealed promising activity and selectivity toward CAI, CAII and CAIX compared to acetazolamide (AAZ) especially compounds 2b (KI = 97.6, 8.0 nM against hCA I, hCA II, respectively) and 3a (KI = 90.2, 6.5 and 21.4 nM against hCA I, hCA II and hCA IX, respectively) relative to AAZ (KI = 250, 12 and 25 nM). Additionally, compound 4a revealed the highest activity against hCA II and hCA IX with KI of 3.0 and 13.9 nM, respectively. Docking of 2b, 3a and 4a into the active site of CA I, II, IX and XII revealed binding mode comparable to AAZ confirming the inhibition results.

Synthesis, biological and molecular dynamics investigations with a series of triazolopyrimidine/triazole-based benzenesulfonamides as novel carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

In the presented work, we report the design and synthesis of different new sets of triazolopyrimidine-based (9a-d) and triazole-based (11a-h, 13a-c, 15a,b, 17a,b and 21a-g) benzenesulfonamides. The newly synthesized sulfonamides were assessed for their inhibitory activities toward four human (h) metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms; hCA I, II, IX and XII. The four examined isoforms were inhibited by the prepared sulfonamides (9a-d, 11a-h, 13a-c, 15a,b, 17a,b and 21a-g) in variable degrees with KIs ranges: 94.4-4953.5 nM for hCA I, 6.9-837.6 nM for hCA II, 3.3-85.0 nM for hCA XI, and 4.4-105.0 nM for hCA XII. In particular, sulfonamides 11e, 21a and 21e emerged as single-digit nanomolar hCA IX and hCA XII inhibitors. Interestingly, triazolopyrimidine-based sulfonamide 9d and triazole-based sulfonamide 21e were found to be the most selective hCA IX inhibitors over hCA I (SI = 100.85 and 210.58, respectively) and hCA II (SI = 18.54 and 38.36, respectively). Thereafter, sulfonamides 9d and 21e were docked into the active site of CAs II, IX and XII, then poses showing the best scoring values and favorable binding interactions were subjected to a MM-GBSA based refinement and, limited to CA IX and XII, to a cycle of 100 ns molecular dynamics.

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.

"A Sweet Combination": Developing Saccharin and Acesulfame K Structures for Selectively Targeting the Tumor-Associated Carbonic Anhydrases IX and XII

The sweeteners saccharin (SAC) and acesulfame K (ACE) recently entered the topic of anticancer human carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors, as they showed to selectively inhibit the tumor-associated CAs IX/XII over ubiquitous CAs. A drug design strategy is here reported, which took SAC and ACE as leads and produced a series of 2H-benzo[e][1,2,4]thiadiazin-3(4H)-one-1,1-dioxides (BTD). Many derivatives showed greater potency (K_Is-CA IX 19.1-408.5 nM) and selectivity (II/IX SI 2-76) than the leads (K_Is-CA IX 103, 2400 nM; II/IX-SI 56, >4) against CA IX/XII over off-target isoforms. A thorough X-ray crystallographic study depicted their binding mode to both CA II and IX-mimic. The most representative BTDs were characterized in vitro for their antitumor activity against A549, PC-3, and HCT-116 cancer cell lines both in normoxia and hypoxia. The two most effective compounds were assayed for their effect on several apoptosis markers, identifying promising leads for the development of new anticancer drugs.

3-Hydrazinoisatin-based benzenesulfonamides as novel carbonic anhydrase inhibitors endowed with anticancer activity: Synthesis, in vitro biological evaluation and in silico insights

Herein we describe the design and synthesis of two series of sulfonamides featuring N-unsubstituted (4a-c) or N-substituted (7a-o) isatin moieties (as tails) connected to benzenesulfonamide moiety via a hydrazine linker. All the prepared sulfonamides (4a-c and 7a-o) showed potent inhibitory activities toward transmembrane tumor-associated human (h) carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms, IX and XII with KI range (8.3-65.4 nM) and (11.9-72.9 nM), respectively. Furthermore, six sulfonamides (7e, 7i, 7j, 7m, 7n and 7o) were assessed for their anti-proliferative activity, according to US-NCI protocol, toward a panel of sixty cancer cell lines. Compounds 7j and 7n were the most promising counterparts in this assay displaying broad spectrum anti-proliferative activity toward diverse cell lines. Also, sulfonamide 7n significantly inhibited clonogenicity of HCT-116 cells in a concentration dependent manner in the colony forming assay. Moreover, molecular modeling studies were performed to gain insights for the plausible binding interactions and affinities for the target isatin-based sulfonamides (4a-c and 7a-o) within hCA isoforms II and IX active sites.

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.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 3-(quinolin-4-ylamino)benzenesulfonamidesAQ3 as carbonic anhydrase isoforms I and II inhibitors

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) are crucial metalloenzymes that are involved in diverse bioprocesses. We report the synthesis and biological evaluation of novel series of benzenesulfonamides incorporating un/substituted ethyl quinoline-3-carboxylate moieties. The newly synthesised compounds were in vitro evaluated as inhibitors of the cytosolic human (h) isoforms hCA I and II. Both isoforms hCA I and II were inhibited by the quinolines reported here in variable degrees: hCA I was inhibited with KIs in the range of 0.966-9.091 μM, whereas hCA II in the range of 0.083-3.594 μM. The primary 7-chloro-6-flouro substituted sulphfonamide derivative 6e (KI = 0.083 μM) proved to be the most active quinoline in inhibiting hCA II, whereas, its secondary sulfonamide analog failed to inhibit the hCA II up to 10 μM, confirming the crucial role of the primary sulphfonamide group, as a zinc-binding group for CA inhibitory activity.

Bioisosteric Development of Multitarget Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug-Carbonic Anhydrases Inhibitor Hybrids for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Multitarget nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) agents for the management of rheumatoid arthritis are reported. The evidence of the plasma stability of the amide-linked hybrids previously reported prompted us to investigate their pain-relieving mechanism of action. A bioisosteric amide to ester substitution yielded a series of derivatives showing potent target CAs inhibition and to undergo cleavage in rat or human plasma depending on the NSAID portion. A selection of derivatives were assayed in vitro to indirectly evaluate their effect on COX-1 and COX-2. MD simulations demonstrated that the entire hybrids are also able to efficiently bind the COX active site. In a rat model of RA, the most promising derivative (5c) showed major antihyperalgesic action compared with the equimolar coadministration of the single agents. The gathered data provided new insights on the action mechanism of these multitarget compounds, which induce markedly improved pain relief compared with the parent NSAIDs.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and in silico modelling studies of 1,3,5-trisubstituted pyrazoles carrying benzenesulfonamide as potential anticancer agents and selective cancer-associated hCA IX isoenzyme inhibitors

Inhibition of carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) has clinical importance for the treatment of several diseases. They participate in crucial regulatory mechanisms for balancing intracellular and extracellular pH of the cells. Among CA isoforms, selective inhibition of hCA IX has been linked to decreasing of cell growth for both primary tumors and metastases. The discovery of novel CA inhibitors as anticancer drug candidates is a current topic in medicinal chemistry. 1,3,5-Trisubstituted pyrazoles carrying benzenesulfonamide were evaluated against physiologically abundant cytosolic hCA I and hCA II and trans-membrane, tumor-associated hCA IX isoforms by a stopped-flow CO2 hydrase method. Their in vitro cytotoxicities were screened against human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines (HSC-2) and human mesenchymal normal oral cells (HGF) via 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) test. Compounds 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12 showed low nanomolar hCA II inhibitory potency with Ki < 10 nM, whereas compounds 9 and 12 displayed Ki < 10 nM against hCA IX isoenzyme when compared with reference Acetazolamide (AZA). Compound 9, 4-(3-(hydrazinecarbonyl)-5-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide, can be considered as the most selective hCA IX inhibitor over off-target cytosolic isoenzymes hCA I and hCA II with the lowest Ki value of 2.3 nM and selectivity ratios of 3217 (hCA I/hCA IX) and 3.9 (hCA II/hCA IX). Isoform selectivity profiles were also discussed using in silico modelling. Cytotoxicity results pointed out that compounds 5 (CC50 = 37.7 μM) and 11 (CC50 = 58.1 μM) can be considered as lead cytotoxic compounds since they were more cytotoxic than 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Methotrexate (MTX).

Synthesis and comparative carbonic anhydrase inhibition of new Schiff's bases incorporating benzenesulfonamide, methanesulfonamide, and methylsulfonylbenzene scaffolds

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibition of the newly synthesized Schiff's bases 4-18 with benzenesulfonamide, methanesulfonamide, and methylsulfonylbenzene scaffolds. The compound inhibition profiles against human CA (hCA) isoforms I, II, IX, and XII were compared to those of the standard inhibitors, acetazolamide (AAZ) and SLC-0111 (a CA inhibitor in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of hypoxic tumors). The hCA I was inhibited by compounds 4a-8a with inhibition constants (KI) in the range 93.5-428.1 nM (AAZ and SLC-0111: KI, 250.0 and 5080.0 nM, respectively). Compounds 4a-8a proved to be effective hCA II inhibitors, with KI ranging from 18.2 to 133.3 nM (AAZ and SLC-0111: KI, 12.0 and 960.0 nM, respectively). Compounds 4a-8a effectively inhibited hCA IX, with KI in the range 8.5-24.9 nM; these values are superior or equivalent to that of AAZ and SLC-0111 (KI, 25.0 and 45.0 nM, respectively). Compounds 4a-8a displayed effective hCA XII inhibitory activity with KI values ranging from 8.6 to 43.2 nM (AAZ and SLC-0111: KI, 5.7 and 4.5 nM, respectively). However, compounds 9b-13b and 14c-18c were found to be micromolar CA inhibitors. For molecular docking studies, compounds 5a, 6a, and 8a were selected.

Diagnostic markers for glaucoma: a patent and literature review (2013-2019)

Introduction: Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, is commonly diagnosed solely in advanced stages of the disease when important and irreversible losses of visual field have already occurred. The identification of effective biomarkers and methods for diagnostic purposes are main interests of the scientific community. Areas covered: This review presents an overview of the current diagnostic methods used for glaucoma and introduces the areas where new efforts are being done for the identification of more sensitive and specific biomarkers. The review then covers the patent literature of the period 2013-2019 regarding diagnostic approaches and biomarkers of glaucoma and the claimed methods for their qualitative and/or quantitative analysis. Expert opinion: In the absence of treatment, glaucoma can cause blindness in a few years. Early diagnostic tools are urgently needed, as this disease incidence is deemed to rapidly increase in the next decades. The current diagnosis of glaucoma, which is based on specific signs of the disease, such as high intraocular pressure, specific optic nerve head changes and visual field loss, is not enough anymore. Molecular genetics represents the area where most efforts are currently made to improve the early detection and monitoring of the disease progression.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and in silico studies with 4-benzylidene-2-phenyl-5(4H)-imidazolone-based benzenesulfonamides as novel selective carbonic anhydrase IX inhibitors endowed with anticancer activity

In the presented work, we report the synthesis of a series of 4-benzylidene-2-phenyl-5(4H)-imidazolone-based benzenesulfonamides 7a-fvia the Erlenmeyer-Plöchl reaction. All the prepared imidazolones 7a-f were evaluated as inhibitors of human (h) carbonic anhydrases (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) cytosolic isoforms hCA I and II, as well as transmembrane tumor-associated isoforms hCA IX and XII. All the tested hCA isoforms were inhibited by the prepared imidazolones 7a-f in variable degrees with the following KIs ranges: 673.2-8169 nM for hCA I, 61.2-592.1 nM for hCA II, 23-155.4 nM for hCA XI, and 21.8-179.6 nM for hCA XII. In particular, imidazolones 7a, 7e, and 7f exhibited good selectivity towards the tumor-associated isoforms (CAs IX and XII) over the off-target cytosolic (CAs I and II) with selectivity index (SI) in the range of 6.2-19.4 and 3.3-8, respectively. Moreover, imidazolones 7a-f were screened for their anticancer activity in one dose (10-5 M) assay against a panel of 60 cancer cell lines according to US-NCI protocol. Furthermore, 7a, 7e and 7f were evaluated for their anti-proliferative activity against colorectal cancer HCT-116 and breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines. Furthermore, 7e and 7f were screened for cell cycle disturbance and apoptosis induction in HCT-116 cells. Finally, a molecular docking study was carried out to rationalize the obtained results.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors based on sorafenib scaffold: Design, synthesis, crystallographic investigation and effects on primary breast cancer cells

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) of the sulfonamide, sulfamate and coumarin classes bearing the phenylureido tail found in the clinically used drug Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor actually used for the management of hepatocellular carcinomas, are reported. All compounds were assayed on human (h) CA isoforms I, II, VII and IX, involved in various pathologies. Among the sulfonamides, several compounds were selective for inhibiting hCA IX, with K_I values in the low nanomolar ranges (i.e. 0.7-30.2 nM). We explored the binding modes of such compounds by means of X-ray crystallographic studies on isoform hCA I in adduct with one sulfonamide and a sulfamate inhibitor. Antiproliferative properties of some sulfamates on breast tumor cell lines were also investigated.

New anthranilic acid-incorporating N-benzenesulfonamidophthalimides as potent inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases I, II, IX, and XII: Synthesis, in vitro testing, and in silico assessment

The carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitory activity of newly synthesized compounds 4-21 against the human CA (hCA) isoforms I, II, IX, and XII was measured and compared to that of standard sulfonamide inhibitors, acetazolamide (AAZ) and SLC-0111. Among this series; benzensulfonamides 6-11 gave the best potent hCA inhibitors with inhibition constants (K_Is) ranging from 81.9 to 456.6 nM (AAZ and SLC-0111: K_Is, 250.0 and 5080 nM, respectively). Compounds 6-11 proved to be effective hCA II inhibitors (K_Is, 8.9-51.5 nM); they were almost equally potent to AAZ (K_I, 12.0 nM) and had superior potency to SLC-0111 (K_I, 960.0 nM). For hCA IX inhibition, compounds 6-11 proved to be potent inhibitors, with K_I values of 3.9-36.0 nM, which were greater than or equal to that of AAZ and greater than that of SLC-0111 (K_Is, 25.0 and 45.0 nM, respectively). For hCA XII inhibitory activity, compounds 6-11 displayed effective inhibition with K_I values ranging from 4.6 to 86.3 nM and were therefore comparable to AAZ and SLC-0111 (K_Is, 5.7 and 4.5 nM, respectively). Molecular docking studies of compounds 6, 7, 10, and 11 were conducted using the crystal structures of hCA isozymes I, II, IX, and XII to study their binding interactions for further lead optimization.

Sulfonamides incorporating piperazine bioisosteres as potent human carbonic anhydrase I, II, IV and IX inhibitors

Starting from the molecular simplification of (R) 4-(3,4-dibenzylpiperazine-1-carbonyl)benzenesulfonamide 9a, a compound endowed with selectivity for human Carbonic Anhydrase (hCA) IV, a series of piperazines and 4-aminopiperidines carrying a 4-sulfamoylbenzamide moiety as Zn-binding group have been designed and tested on human isoforms hCA I, II, IV and IX, using a stopped flow CO₂ hydrase assay. The aim of the work was to derive structure-activity relationships useful for designing isoform selective compounds. These structural modifications changed the selectivity profile of the analogues from hCA IV to hCA I and II, and improved potency. Several of the new compounds showed subnanomolar activity on hCA II. X-ray crystallography of ligand-hCAII complexes was used to compare the binding modes of the new piperazines and the previously synthesized 2-benzyl-piperazine analogues, explaining the inhibition profiles.

Activation of human α-carbonic anhydrase isoforms I, II, IV and VII with bis-histamine schiff bases and bis-spinaceamine substituted derivatives

A series of histamine bis-Schiff bases and bis-spinaceamine derivatives were synthesised and investigated as activators of four human (h) carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms, the cytosolic hCA I, II and VII, and the membrane-associated hCA IV. All isoforms were effectively activated by the new derivatives, with activation constants in the range of 4.73–10.2 µM for hCA I, 6.15–42.1 µM for hCA II, 2.37–32.7 µM for hCA IV and 32 nM–18.7 µM for hCA VII, respectively. The nature of the spacer between the two histamine/spinaceamine units of these molecules was the main contributor to the diverse activating efficacy, with a very different fine tuning for the diverse isoforms. As CA activators recently emerged as interesting agents for enhancing cognition, in the management of CA deficiencies, or for therapy memory and artificial tissues engineering, our compounds may be considered as candidates for such applications.

Design, synthesis, and carbonic anhydrase inhibition activity of benzenesulfonamide-linked novel pyrazoline derivatives

Carbonic anhydrases (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) are Zinc metalloenzymes and are present throughout most living organisms. Among the catalytically active isoforms are the cytosolic CA I and II, and tumor-associated CA IX and CA XII. The carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitory activities of newly synthesized pyrazoline-linked benzenesulfonamides 18-33 against human CA (hCA) isoforms I, II, IX, and XII were measured and compared with that of acetazolamide (AAZ), a standard inhibitor. Potent inhibitory activity against hCA I was exerted by compounds 18-25, with inhibition constant (KI) values of 87.8-244.1 nM, which were greater than that of AAZ (KI, 250.0 nM). Compounds 19, 21, 22, 29, 30, and 32 were proven to have inhibitory activities against hCA IX with KI values (5.5-37.0 nM) that were more effective than or nearly equal to that of AAZ (KI, 25.0 nM). Compounds 20-22, and 30 exerted potent inhibitory activities (KIs, 7.1-10.1 nM) against hCA XII, in comparison with AAZ (KI, 5.7 nM).

Novel Diamide-Based Benzenesulfonamides as Selective Carbonic Anhydrase IX Inhibitors Endowed with Antitumor Activity: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and In Silico Insights

In this work, we present the synthesis and biological evaluation of novel series of diamide-based benzenesulfonamides 5a–h as inhibitors of the metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms hCA I, II, IX and XII. The target tumor-associated isoforms hCA IX and XII were undeniably the most affected ones (K_Is: 8.3–123.3 and 9.8–134.5 nM, respectively). Notably, diamides 5a and 5h stood out as a single-digit nanomolar hCA IX inhibitors (K_Is = 8.8 and 8.3 nM). The SAR outcomes highlighted that bioisosteric replacement of the benzylidene moiety, compounds 5a–g, with the hetero 2-furylidene moiety, compound 5h, achieved the best IX/I and IX/II selectivity herein reported with SIs of 985 and 13.8, respectively. Molecular docking simulations of the prepared diamides within CA IX active site revealed the ability of 5h to establish an additional H-bond between the heterocyclic oxygen and HE/Gln67. Moreover, benzenesulfonamides 5a, 5b and 5h were evaluated for their antitumor activity against renal cancer UO-31 cell line. Compound 5h was the most potent derivative with about 1.5-fold more enhanced activity (IC₅₀ = 4.89 ± 0.22 μM) than the reference drug Staurosporine (IC₅₀ = 7.25 ± 0.43 μM). Moreover, 5a and 5h were able to induce apoptosis in UO-31 cells as evidenced by the significant increase in the percent of annexinV-FITC positive apoptotic cells by 22.5- and 26.5-folds, respectively.