Interaction of penicillin with the bacterial cell: penicillin-binding proteins and penicillin-sensitive enzymes.

Abstract

The beta-lactam antibiotics stand out among As discussed below, this ring may be that part antimicrobial agents for-their wide spectrum of of the molecule which reacts with the penicillin activity and for their remarkably low toxicity to target. The side chains attached to the nucleus animals. These substances are composed of two are of importance because of their ease of chemical modification and the profound effects 'Present address: Department of Biology, Massachusetts which they exert on the properties of the mole

RECOVERY OF Escherichia coli K‐12 FROM NEAR‐ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION‐INDUCED MEMBRANE DAMAGE

“…Although the mechanism by which penicillin inactivates bacteria is not understood completely. it is generally agreed that it specifically inhibits cell wall synthesis (Blumberg and Strominger. 1974).…”

Two penicillin binding proteins of Haemophilus influenzae are lost after cells enter stationary phase

“…Penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) are integrally associated with the cytoplasmic membrane, covalently bind penicillin, and are thought to be involved in cell wall synthesis [1,2]. All bacteria examined contain multiple PBPs which differ in apparent M r [3].…”

l-alanine, a product of cell wall synthesis inMethanobacterium thermoautotrophicum

“…This difference might explain why the cell wall synthesis ofM. thermoautotrophicum is not affected by penicillins or cephalosporins [14], which inhibit the transpeptidation reaction in eubacteria: the active part of these antibiotics have D-rather than L-configuration [8].…”

“…Since cross-linking involves breaking of the peptide bond between the two terminal amino acids, L-alanine ( Fig. 1) is expected to be formed as product of cell wall synthesis in M. thermoautotrophicum rather than D-alanine, which is the product in eubacteria [7,8].…”