A series of acyl selenoureido benzensulfonamides was evaluated as carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors against two Vibrio cholerae such enzymes (VchCA? over VchCA?) belonging to the ?- and ?-classes, potential novel targets for anti-infective drugs development. These compounds showed strong inhibitory action against VchCA? over VchCA? and excellent selectivity over the human (h) off-target isoforms hCA I and II. Identification of potent and possibly selective inhibitors of VchCA? and/or VchCA? over the human counterparts may lead to pharmacological tools useful for understanding the physiological role(s) of these under-investigated proteins, possibly involved in the virulence of the bacterium and colonization of the host in bicarbonate rich regions of the gastro-intestinal tract.
