title: [Advances in researches on β-carbonic anhydrases as anti-parasitic drug targets].
abstract: β-carbonic anhydrases (β-CAs) are ubiquitous metalloenzymes which active site contains a zinc ion (Zn²⁺), and they could catalyze the hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate and protons efficiently and are involved in many biological processes, such as respiration, pH and CO₂ homeostasis, biosynthetic reactions, virulence regulation and so on, and may play a critical role in the life activity of many organisms which contain these enzymes. β-CAs are widely distributed in fungi, bacteria, algae, plants and a small number of protozoan and metazoan except vertebrates. Therefore, as potential drug targets for designing and developing antibacterial and anti-parasitic drugs, β-CAs promise a broad application prospect. This paper focuses on the distribution, physiological function and the progress of researches on β-CAs in parasites and their vectors.
authors.forename: Cong-hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Huai-min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002256:Carbonic Anhydrases / Q000502:physiology*; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D002256:Carbonic Anhydrases