title: Bacterial production of carbapenems and clavams: evolution of beta-lactam antibiotic pathways.
abstract: Research into two of the four classes of naturally produced beta-lactams--the clavams and carbapenems--has started to throw light upon their biochemical pathways and underlying genetics. Interesting similarities between these two classes, from their joint discovery to an apparently common beta-lactam ring-forming enzyme, are now being revealed.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Bycroft
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Salmond
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015780:Carbapenems / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015780:Carbapenems; D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D047090:beta-Lactams