title: Glycopeptide antibiotics.
abstract: Numerous glycopeptides continue to be described in the literature. They all share a similar heptapeptidic structure with a fixed spatial configuration that forms the basis of their ability to recognize D-alanyl-D-alanine-containing structures in the cell wall. This complexation results in block of peptiglycan elongation; hence, inhibition of growth; and, eventually, cell death. The great variety of substituents on the heptapeptide forms the basis of a wide gradation of physico-chemical characteristics, namely net charge and lipophilicity, which, in turn, might explain the widely differing pharmacologic properties.
authors.affiliation: Merrell-Dow Research Institute, Lepetit Research Center, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Parenti
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D006020:Glycopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006020:Glycopeptides