Beta-lactam antibiotic resistance: a current structural perspective.
Bacterial resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics can be achieved by any of three strategies: the production of beta-lactam-hydrolyzing beta-lactamase enzymes, the utilization of beta-lactam-insensitive cell wall transpeptidases, and the active expulsion of beta-lactam molecules from Gram-negative cells by way of efflux pumps. In recent years, structural biology has contributed significantly to the understanding of these processes and should prove invaluable in the design of drugs to combat beta-lactam resistance in the future.
Wilke
Mark S
MS
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, 2146 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3.
Lovering
Andrew L
AL
Strynadka
Natalie C J
NC
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D015195:Drug Design; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D047090:beta-Lactams; D001618:beta-Lactamases