betalactams
The core structure of beta-lactam antibiotics is the beta-lactam nucleus, or 6-aminopenicillanic acid (7-aminocephalosporanic acid for the cephalosporins). Side chains are added to this core structure to produce novel beta-lactam antibiotics. The mechanism of action of beta-lactams is the inhibition of the penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) that cross-link components of the bacterial cell wall, a function necessary for bacterial proliferation. There are many beta-lactam antibiotics, but common drug classes within the beta-lactams include the penams (penicillin derivatives), cephalosporins, carbapenems, and monobactams.
References
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2894812/pdf/nihms156704.pdf
Mechanisms
- Class A betalactamases
- Class B betalactamases
- Class C betalactamases
- Class D betalactamases
- Mutant porin proteins
- Penicillin binding protein
- Penicillin binding protein regulator