
How does beta-lactamase inactivate penicillin
Penicillin
Penicillin is a group of antibiotics which include penicillin G, penicillin V, procaine penicillin, and benzathine penicillin. Penicillin antibiotics were among the first medications to be effective against many bacterial infections caused by staphylococci and streptococci. They are still wi…
How do beta lactamase enzymes inactivate beta-lactam antibiotics?
The beta-lactamase enzymes inactivate beta-lactam antibiotics by hydrolyzing the peptide bond of the characteristic four-membered beta-lactam ring rendering the antibiotic ineffective. The inactivation of the antibiotic provides resistance to the bacterium.
Why is beta-lactamase added to penicillin?
The beta-lactamase inhibitor is added to the penicillin to protect the penicillin from certain substances (enzymes) that will destroy the penicillin before it can kill the bacteria. There are several different kinds of penicillins. Each is used to treat different kinds of infections.
How to tackle beta-lactam antibiotic resistance?
E.g. Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance to imipenem. Tackling resistance to Beta-Lactam Antibiotics? Protecting beta-lactam ring from beta-lactamases by molecular alterations of beta-lactam rig. For example, methicillin and oxacillin which are close molecular derivatives of penicillin are resistant to staphylococcal β-lactamase.
What is the function of beta lactamase?
Beta-lactamases are an important group of bacterial enzymes, which preferentially cleave the beta-lactam ring of penicillins, cephalosporins, or other medically important beta-lactam antibiotics (Fig. 1 ). Fig. 1. Hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin by beta-lactamase to form penicilloic acid.

Why is beta-lactamase resistant penicillin?
Within the bacterial cell, β-lactamases contribute to antibiotic resistance in several ways. The simplest model is that of penicillinase-producing staphylococci, in which the bacteria, on exposure to penicillin, begin to produce β-lactamase, which they excrete extracellularly.
How is penicillin inactivated?
The 0.34% concentration of hydrogen peroxide was the most effective, inactivating penicillin G to a level well below the safe level of 5 ppb with the pasteurized heat treatment, with or without incubation.
How does b lactamase protect bacteria from penicillin?
β-Lactam antibiotics are bactericidal agents that interrupt bacterial cell-wall formation as a result of covalent binding to essential penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), enzymes that are involved in the terminal steps of peptidoglycan cross-linking in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
How do beta-lactam antibiotics work penicillin?
Let's take an old and well-established type of antibiotic, the beta-lactams (penicillins, cephalosporins, etc.) How do they work? Well, the standard answer to that one is that they disrupt the synthesis of peptidoglycan (PG), which is a key ingredient in the bacterial cell wall.
What is the difference between penicillinase and beta-lactamase?
The key difference between penicillinase and beta lactamase is that penicillinase is a type of beta lactamase that shows specificity to penicillin, while beta lactamase is a group of enzymes produced by bacteria that develop multi-resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporin, cephamycin, and ...
How is penicillin metabolized?
All of the penicillins are readily and actively secreted by the renal tubles and most are eliminated, almost completely unchanged, in the urine. The majority are excreted in small quantities in the bile, but this is a major route for elimination of nafcillin from the body.
Does beta-lactamase degrade penicillin?
As reported, penicillin G can be degraded in alkaline or acidic pH and in the presence of β-lactamase into different metabolites, including benzyl penilloic acid or benzylpenillic acid.
What is penicillin beta lactamase inhibitor?
The penicillin works by preventing the growth of the bacteria, and the beta lactamase inhibitor protects the antibiotic from the bacteria, increasing the effectiveness.
How does beta-lactamase cause antibiotic resistance?
β-Lactamases (BLs) represent one of the most common causes of bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, particularly in Gram-negative bacteria [18]. These enzymes can inactivate almost all β-lactam antibiotics by binding covalently to their carbonyl moiety and hydrolyzing the β-lactam ring.
What is the action of beta-lactamase?
The OXA-type beta-lactamases confer resistance to ampicillin and cephalothin and are characterized by their high hydrolytic activity against oxacillin and cloxacillin and the fact that they are poorly inhibited by clavulanic acid. Amino acid substitutions in OXA enzymes can also give the ESBL phenotype.
How do β-lactams affect and destroy bacteria?
The β-lactams are bactericidal agents that kill bacteria by interrupting peptidoglycan (cell wall) biosynthesis. Their targets are penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) that exhibit transglycosylase/transpeptidase or carboxypeptidase activities in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
What is the mechanism of action of penicillin?
Penicillins are bactericidal agents that exert their mechanism of action by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis and by inducing a bacterial autolytic effect.
How does penicillin act as a bactericidal agent?
Penicillin kills bacteria through binding of the beta-lactam ring to DD-transpeptidase, inhibiting its cross-linking activity and preventing new cell wall formation. Without a cell wall, a bacterial cell is vulnerable to outside water and molecular pressures, which causes the cell to quickly die.
Is penicillin bacteriostatic or bactericidal?
Penicillins are bactericidal beta-lactam antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis.
How does penicillin work as an enzyme inhibitor?
Penicillin functions by interfering with the synthesis of cell walls of reproducing bacteria. It does so by inhibiting an enzyme—transpeptidase—that catalyzes the last step in bacterial cell-wall biosynthesis. The defective walls cause bacterial cells to burst.
Why does penicillin not work on Gram negative bacteria?
Gram-negative bacteria have peptidoglycan between membranes. Penicillin works best on gram-positive bacteria by inhibiting peptidoglycan production, making the cells leaky and fragile.
What is a beta-lactamase?
Beta-lactam antibiotics are typically used to treat a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Beta-lactamases produced by Gram-negative organisms are usually secreted, especially when antibiotics are present in the environment.
What is the specificity of penicillinase?
Penicillinase is a specific type of β-lactamase, showing specificity for penicillins, again by hydrolysing the β-lactam ring. Molecular weights of the various penicillinases tend to cluster near 50 kiloDaltons. Penicillinase was the first β-lactamase to be identified.
What is the ring of an antibiotic?
These antibiotics all have a common element in their molecular structure: a four-atom ring known as a β-lactam. Through hydrolysis, the enzyme lactamase breaks the β-lactam ring open, deactivating the molecule's antibacterial properties.
Is TEM resistant to clavulanic acid?
Although the inhibitor-resistant TEM variants are resistant to inhibition by clavulanic acid and sulbactam, thereby showing clinical resistance to the beta-lactam—beta lactamase inhibitor combinations of amoxicillin - clavulanate ( Co-amoxiclav ), ticarcillin - clavulanate, and ampicillin/sulbactam, they remain susceptible to inhibition by tazobactam and subsequently the combination of piperacillin/tazobactam .
Which bacteria are resistant to beta-lactamase?
Beta-lactamase. Core structure of penicillins (top) and cephalosporins (bottom). β-lactam ring in red. Escherichia coli bacteria on the right are sensitive to two beta-lactam antibiotics, and do not grow in the semi-circular regions surrounding antibiotics. E. coli bacteria on the left are resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, ...
Is carbapenem a good antibiotic for ESBL?
Therefore, antibiotic options in the treatment of ESBL-producing organisms are extremely limited. Carbapenems are the treatment of choice for serious infections due to ESBL-producing organisms, yet carbapenem-resistant (primarily ertapenem resistant) isolates have recently been reported.
Is cephalosporin resistant to Gram negative bacteria?
Among Gram-negative bacteria, the emergence of resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins has been a major concern. It appeared initially in a limited number of bacterial species ( E. cloacae, C. freundii, S. marcescens, and P. aeruginosa) that could mutate to hyperproduce their chromosomal class C β-lactamase.
Why is beta-lactamase inhibitor added to penicillin?
The beta-lactamase inhibitor is added to the penicillin to protect the penicillin from certain substances (enzymes) that will destroy the penicillin before it can kill the bacteria. There are several different kinds of penicillins. Each is used to treat different kinds of infections.
Where to store penicillin?
Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Store the oral liquid form of penicillins in the refrigerator because heat will cause this medicine to break down.
How strong is amoxicillin?
Infants and children weighing up to 40 kg (88 pounds)—The amoxicillin and clavulanate combination tablets are too strong for children weighing less than 40 kg (88 pounds ). The chewable tablets or oral suspension are used in these children. For ampicillin and sulbactam combination.
What are the side effects of piperacillin?
Diarrhea (mild); gas; headache; stomach pain; swelling of abdomen. Less common or rare. Chills; nosebleed; long-lasting muscle relaxation (with piperacillin and tazobactam combination); unusual tiredness or weakness. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
How long does it take for piperacillin to work?
Adults and teenagers—3 to 4 grams of piperacillin, in combination with 0.375 to 0.5 grams of tazobactam, injected into a vein every six to eight hours for seven to ten days.
Can piperacillin cause rash?
Cystic fibrosis—Patients with cystic fibrosis may have an increased chance of fever and skin rash when receiving piperacillin and tazobactam combination. Kidney disease—Patients with kidney disease may have an increased chance of side effects.
Can penicillin be used in older people?
Older adults— Penicillins and beta-lactamase inhibitors have been used in the elderly and have not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than they do in younger adults.
Which enzyme cleaves the beta ring of penicillin?
Beta-lactamases are an important group of bacterial enzymes, which preferentially cleave the beta-lactam ring of penicillins, cephalosporins, or other medically important beta-lactam antibiotics (Fig. 1 ). Fig. 1. Hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin by beta-lactamase to form penicilloic acid.
Which penicillins have the greatest resistance to penicillinases?
Semi-synthetic penicillins have greater resistance to penicillinases or an extended spectrum of activity. Penicillinase-resistant penicillins include meticillin, nafcillin and oxacillin. 1,10,14,15,18,19 These are primarily used in the treatment of infection caused by penicillinase-producing staphylococci.
What is a class 3 -lactamase?
Class 3 β -lactamases exhibit zinc-dependent activity and are sometimes referred to as ‘carbapenemases’ because they hydrolyse carbapenems (37) as well as penams (38), on which the penicillin structure is based, and cephems (39), on which the cephalosporins are based. Sign in to download full-size image.
What is penicillinase resistant?
Penicillinase-resistant penicillins are useful for treating infections caused by β-lactamase–producing staphylococci. Therapeutic applications for penicillinase-resistant penicillins include treatment or prevention of infections in the upper or lower respiratory tract, skin, bones, and joints. In addition, these antibiotics are used to treat meningitis, septicemia, and endocarditis.
Which group of clavulanic acid has a weak activity?
In the latter classification, four groups have been defined: group 1, cephalosporinases on which the β-lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid has a weak activity; group 2, penicillinases sensitive to clavulanic acid and extended spectrum β-lactamases; group 3, metallo-β-lactamases; and group 4, other β-lactamases weakly sensitive to clavulanic acid.
What are the two categories of penicillin?
Penicillin antibiotics are generally divided into two categories: natural (biosynthetic) and semi-synthetic. Natural penicillins include penicillin G and penicillin V. 1 These are not expensive and are still widely used in clinical practice.
What is the -lactamase?
β -Lactamases hydrolyse the cyclic amide bond in susceptible β -lactam molecules so that antibiotics are unable to bind to PBPs [179]. In Gramnegative bacteria, β -lactamases are intracellular with a periplasmic location, whereas in Gram-positive bacteria they are mainly excreted from the cell and thus are extracellular [180]. Extended-spectrum β -lactamases are plasmid-enclosed enzymes that confer resistance on those β -lactams (e.g. cefotaxime, cefrazidine and aztreonam) that were designed to resist such enzyme attack [180].
What enzyme destroys the ring of penicillin?
Enzymatic destruction of antibiotics. β-lactamase enzymes destroy β-lactam ring so the antibiotic cannot bind to penicillin-binding protein (PBP) and interfere with cell wall synthesis. Staphylococcal resistance to penicillin.
What happens when beta-lactam is bind to PBP?
Death results from osmotic instability caused by faulty cell wall synthesis, or the binding of the beta-lactam to PBP may trigger a series of events that lead to autolysis and death of the cell. Mechanism of action of beta-lactam antibiotics. ...
How many different types of PBPs are there in bacteria?
Bacterial species may contain between 4-6 different types of PBPs. The PBPs involved in cell wall cross-linking (i.e.,transpeptidases) are often the most critical for survival. The 4-member ring of beta-lactam antibiotics gives these compounds a three-dimensional shape that mimics the D-Ala-D-Ala peptide terminus that serves as ...
What is beta lactam antibiotic?
Beta-lactam antibiotics are those that contain 4-member, nitrogen-containing, beta-lactam ring at the core of their structure. This ring mimics the shape of the terminal D-Ala-D-Ala peptide sequence that serves as the substrate for cell wall transpeptidases. At present, there are four major beta-lactam subgroups.
What is the mechanism of action of beta lactam?
Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam Antibiotics. The beta-lactam ring is key to the mode of action of these drugs that target and inhibit cell wall synthesis by binding the enzymes involved in the synthesis. These enzymes are anchored in the cell membrane and as a group is referred to as penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs).
What are the mechanisms of resistance against beta lactams?
They are; enzymatic destruction of the antibiotics, altered antibiotic targets, or decreased uptake of the drug.
What happens when a drug is decreased?
Decreased uptake of the drug. Decreased uptake of the drug contributes significantly to β-lactam resistance in gram-negative bacteria. This happens because of the changes in the number, or characteristics of the outer membrane porins (through which β-lactams reach to inner peptidoglycan layer of gram-negative bacteria).
How does beta-lactamase inactivate beta-lactam antibiotics?
The beta-lactamase enzymes inactivate beta-lactam antibiotics by hydrolyzing the peptide bond of the characteristic four-membered beta-lactam ring rendering the antibiotic ineffective . The inactivation of the antibiotic provides resistance to the bacterium.
How do bacteria escape beta-lactamase?
Bacteria have evolved three strategies to escape the activity of beta-lactam antibiotics: 1) alteration of the target site (e.g. penicillin-binding protein (PBPs), 2) reduction of drug permeation across the bacterial membrane (e.g. efflux pumps) and 3) production of beta-lactamase enzymes.
How have bacteria evolved to escape the activity of beta-lactam antibiotics?
The extensive and sometimes irresponsible use of beta-lactam antibiotics in clinical and agricultural settings has contributed to the emergence and widespread dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Bacteria have evolved three strategies ...
What is the role of beta-lactamase in antibiotics?
Molecular analysis of beta-lactamase structure and function. The extensive and sometimes irresponsible use of beta-lactam antibiotics in clinical and agricultural settings has contributed to the emergence and widespread dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Overview
Beta-lactamases, (β-lactamases) are enzymes (EC 3.5.2.6) produced by bacteria that provide multi-resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins, cephamycins, monobactams and carbapenems (ertapenem), although carbapenems are relatively resistant to beta-lactamase. Beta-lactamase provides antibiotic resistance by breaking the antibiotics' structure. …
Structure
The structure of a Streptomyces serine β-lactamase (SBLs) is given by 1BSG. The alpha-beta fold (InterPro: IPR012338) resembles that of a DD-transpeptidase, from which the enzyme is thought to have evolved from. β-lactam antibiotics bind to DD-transpeptidases to inhibit bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Serine β-lactamases are grouped by sequence similarity into types A, C, and D.
The other type of beta-lactamase is of the metallo type ("type B"). Metallo-beta-lactamases (MBL…
Mechanism of action
The two types of beta-lactamases work on the basis of the two basic mechanisms of opening the β-lactam ring.
The SBLs are similar in structure and mechanistically to the β-lactam target penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) which are necessary for cell wall building and modifying. SBLs and PBPs both covalently change an active site Serine residue. The difference between the PBPs and SBLs is th…
Penicillinase
Penicillinase is a specific type of β-lactamase, showing specificity for penicillins, again by hydrolysing the β-lactam ring. Molecular weights of the various penicillinases tend to cluster near 50 kiloDaltons.
Penicillinase was the first β-lactamase to be identified. It was first isolated by Abraham and Chain in 1940 from Gram-negative E. coli even before penicillin entered clinical use, but penicillinase pr…
Resistance in Gram-negative bacteria
Among Gram-negative bacteria, the emergence of resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins has been a major concern. It appeared initially in a limited number of bacterial species (E. cloacae, C. freundii, S. marcescens, and P. aeruginosa) that could mutate to hyperproduce their chromosomal class C β-lactamase. A few years later, resistance appeared in bacterial species not naturally producing AmpC enzymes (K. pneumoniae, Salmonella spp., P. mir…
Treatment of ESBL/AmpC/carbapenemases
In general, an isolate is suspected to be an ESBL producer when it shows in vitro susceptibility to the second-generation cephalosporins (cefoxitin, cefotetan) but resistance to the third-generation cephalosporins and to aztreonam. Moreover, one should suspect these strains when treatment with these agents for Gram-negative infections fails despite reported in vitro susceptibility. Once an ESBL-producing strain is detected, the laboratory should report it as "resistant" to all penicillin…
Use as a pharmaceutical
In 1957, amid concern about allergic reactions to penicillin-containing antibiotics, a beta-lactamase was sold as an antidote under the brand name neutrapen. It was theorized that the breakdown of penicillin by the enzyme would treat the allergic reaction. While it was not useful in acute anaphylactic shock, it showed positive results in cases of urticaria and joint pain suspected to be caused by penicillin allergy. Its use was proposed in pediatric cases where penicillin allerg…
Detection
Beta-lactamase enzymatic activity can be detected using nitrocefin, a chromogenic cephalosporin substrate which changes color from yellow to red upon beta-lactamase mediated hydrolysis.
Category
- Antibacterial, systemic—Amoxicillin and Clavulanate; Ampicillin and Sulbactam; Piperacillin and Tazobactam; Ticarcillin and Clavulanate
Description
- Penicillins and beta-lactamase inhibitors are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They work by killing the bacteria or preventing their growth. The beta-lactamase inhibitor is added to the penicillin to protect the penicillin from certain substances (enzymes) that will destroy the penicillin before it can kill the bacteria. There are sever...
Before Using This Medicine
- In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For penicillins, the following should be considered: Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to any of the penicillins, cephalosporins, or beta-lactamase inhibitors. Also tell your health care profess…
Proper Use of This Medicine
- Amoxicillin and clavulanate combination may be taken on a full or empty stomach. Taking amoxicillin and clavulanate combination with food may decrease the chance of diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. For patients taking the oral liquid form of amoxicillin and clavulanate combination: 1. Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. T…
Precautions While Using This Medicine
- If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Penicillins may cause diarrhea in some patients. 1. Check with your doctor if severe diarrhea occurs . Severe diarrhea may be a sign of a serious side effect. Do not take any diarrhea medicine. Diarrhea medicines may make your diarrhea worse or make it last longer. 2. For mild d…
Side Effects of This Medicine
- Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the fo…
Additional Information
- Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, penicillins and beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations are used in certain patients with the following medical conditions: 1. Amoxicillin and clavulanate combination 2. Bronchitis 3. Ch…
Types
- β-Lactamases can be divided into several classes based on their activity/inhibition profiles toward penicillins (penams), cephalosporins (cephems), or some particular members of the antibiotics (3). No known β-lactamases, however, are exclusively specific on penams or cephems. Most chromosomal β-lactamases are active against both penams and cephems, but are in general co…
Mechanism of action
- The β-lactamase inhibitors bind to β-lactamases and inactivate them. Commercially available inhibitors include clavulanic acid, sulbactam and tazobactam. The β-lactamase inhibitors themselves have little direct antimicrobial activity; however, when combined with an antibiotic they extend the antibiotics spectrum of activity and increase stability a...
Mechanism
- By combining the sensitive β-lactamase reporter system with an inducible expression system, the advantages of both systems can be realized as previously shown with the G2A receptor (Bercher et al., 2009) and the GHSR (Hanson et al., 2009). With the G2A receptor, inducible constitutive activity served as a control to show that the Gαq-coupled orphan G2A receptor activation could …
Introduction
- Production of β-lactamase activity is a common mechanism of intrinsic and acquired resistance to β-lactams in gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens and, in the latter, is overall the most important mechanism of β-lactam resistance. The number of β-lactamases detected in pathogenic bacteria has risen steadily since the introduction of penicillin. β-Lactamases have be…
Structure
- β-lactamases have also been classified according to the amino acid sequence similarity and mechanistic features into four molecular classes. Enzymes of classes A, C and D have a serine residue at their active site, whereas those of class B require a zinc co-factor for activity (metallo-β-lactamases, MBLs). The relationships between structure and function are complex: members of …
Evolution
- On the other hand, the TEM and SHV enzymes have also shown the ability to evolve mutations that confer resistance to β-lactamase inhibitors.4 More recently, plasmid-encoded class A ESBLs other than TEM and SHV derivatives have also emerged in Enterobacteriaceae. Of these, the CTX-M-type enzymes have been the most successful. In fact, they have largely replaced the TEM- an…
Genetics
- Class C β-lactamases (also called AmpC-type enzymes) are found as resident chromosomally-encoded β-lactamases in several gram-negative bacilli including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and some members of the family Enterobacteriaceae (e.g. Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens and Morganella morganii). Production of th…
Summary
- Class D β-lactamases (also called OXA-type enzymes after their efficient hydrolysis of oxacillin) are found as resident chromosomally-encoded enzymes in several bacterial species, and also as plasmid-encoded enzymes. They were originally considered to be less important due to their overall lower diffusion and narrow substrate profile (including penicillins and some narrow-spect…
Research
- Multiple other forms of this resistance mechanism have developed in recent decades. Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) occur in more than 300 different varieties and now are being seen in veterinary patients. In addition to hydrolyzing the above antimicrobials, the ESBLs hydrolyze third-generation cephalosporins. However, carbapenems are stable in the presence of …
Treatment
- Enterobacteriaceae also have evolved carbapenemases as a form of acquired resistance. These bacteria are considered XDR and are resistant to the entire class of β-lactam antimicrobials. There are no reports of carbapenemase producing bacteria in dogs and cats. Treatment options are often limited because co-resistance to fluoroquinolones (90% to 100% of isolates), aminoglycosi…