Comparison of structure-inhibition relationships and kinetic data between the N-[(4-benzoylamino)phenyl]sulfonyl]amino acids (BAPS-amino acids) and phenylsulfonylamino acids (PS-amino acids) suggests that the additional benzoyl moiety present in the BAPS-amino acids enhances inhibition by direct interaction with aldose reductase (EC 1.1.1.21) without altering the mode of interaction with the enzyme. 2. Also the 2-, 3- and 4-nitro regioisomers of BAPS-glycine (NBAPSG) display parallel structure- inhibition relationships with the 2-, 3- and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde substrates and the 2-, 3- and 4-nitroacetophenone competitive inhibitors. 3. Competition studies and multiple inhibition analyses demonstrate that the 4-nitrobenzoyl group of 4-NBAPSG binds at the substrate site of aldose reductase, while the PS-glycine moiety of 4-NBAPSG binds cooperatively at a distinct site.