Carbamoyl phosphate has been shown to inhibit carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes CA I, CA II and CA III. This physiologically important molecule is the most potent, naturally occurring inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase yet found. It is also unique, among carbonic anhydrase inhibitors discovered hitherto, in that it inhibits the 3 isozymes with equal effect, despite their strikingly different properties. The results imply the participation of carbonic anhydrase in the regulation of substrate availability for the urea cycle.
