Beta-lactamase

Serine beta-lactamase
Structure of Streptomyces albus beta-lactamase
Identifiers
Symbolβ-lactamase domain
PfamPF00144
Pfam clanCL0013
InterProIPR001466
PROSITEPS00146
SCOP256601 / SCOPe / SUPFAM
Available protein structures:
Pfam  structures / ECOD  
PDBRCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj
PDBsumstructure summary
PDB1axb​, 1blp​, 1bsg​, 1bue​, 1e25​, 1ghi​, 1i2s​, 1n9b​, 1ong​, 2cc1​, 2gdn​, 3dwz​
Metallo-beta-lactamase
Metallo-beta-lactamase L1 homotetramer, Stenotrophomonas
Identifiers
Symbol?
PfamPF00753
Pfam clanCL0381
InterProIPR001279
Available protein structures:
Pfam  structures / ECOD  
PDBRCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj
PDBsumstructure summary
β-lactamase
Action of β-lactamase and decarboxylation of the intermediate
Identifiers
EC no.3.5.2.6
CAS no.9073-60-3
Databases
IntEnzIntEnz view
BRENDABRENDA entry
ExPASyNiceZyme view
KEGGKEGG entry
MetaCycmetabolic pathway
PRIAMprofile
PDB structuresRCSB PDB PDBe PDBsum
Gene OntologyAmiGO / QuickGO
Search
PMCarticles
PubMedarticles
NCBIproteins
Core structure of penicillins (top) and cephalosporins (bottom). Beta-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, and grow next to one antibiotic (bottom) and are less inhibited by another antibiotic (top).

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. These antibiotics all have a common element in their molecular structure: a four-atom ring known as a beta-lactam (β-lactam) ring. Through hydrolysis, the enzyme lactamase breaks the β-lactam ring open, deactivating the molecule's antibacterial properties.

Beta-lactamases produced by Gram-negative bacteria are usually secreted, especially when antibiotics are present in the environment.[1]

  1. ^ Neu HC (June 1969). "Effect of beta-lactamase location in Escherichia coli on penicillin synergy". Applied Microbiology. 17 (6): 783–6. doi:10.1128/AEM.17.6.783-786.1969. PMC 377810. PMID 4894721.