Biochemical and structural characterization of beta-carbonic anhydrase from the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis

• Protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis has two β-carbonic anhydrases (TvaCA1/2). • TvaCA1/TvaCA2 represents promising targets for antitrichomonal drug development. • TvaCA2 is a dimer of 20.3 kDa and possesses moderate catalytic activity. • The most efficient inhibitor was clinical drug acetazolamide with KI of 222.9 nM. • The 39 tested sulfonamides form the basis for the design of more potent inhibitors.