Skip to main content
Fig. 3 | Journal of Intensive Care

Fig. 3

From: Molecular diversity of extended-spectrum β-lactamases and carbapenemases, and antimicrobial resistance

Fig. 3

The enzymatic action of a β-lactamase to penicillins. The β-lactam ring is the basic structure of β-lactam antibiotics. β-lactamase inhibits the antibacterial action by dissociating the –CO–NH structure of the β-lactam ring. The –CO–NH structure of the β-lactam ring is similar to the –CO–NH peptide in alanyl-alanine, from which the peptidoglycan cross-links are formed. Thus, β-lactams mimic alanyl-alanine of the peptidoglycan pillar structure. Thus, β-lactamase is a protease (peptidase) that dissociates the –CO–NH structure of β-lactams

Back to article page