How B-lactam drugs work

Beta-lactam drugs are a classic way of treating bacterial infections. Since bacteria have cell walls and people don't, drugs that target cell wall synthesis should have fewer side effects. Beta-lactam drugs include penicillin, which was discovered by 1928 by Alexander Fleming. He observed that colonies of Penicillium mold growing in his bacterial cultures created zones where bacteria couldn't grow. He then isolated the specific compound that was responsible for this effect, penicillin. The term "beta lactam" refers to the four membered ring structure that is found in this class of antibiotics.

The enzyme that penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics target is transpeptidase, which is involved in cell wall synthesis. It creates peptide crosslinks in the cell wall. When transpeptidase is inhibited, the cells burst from osmotic pressure.

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Function

Disease

Relevance

Structural highlights

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