Structural Details of Enzyme Involved in Antibiotic Resistance

Disease-causing bacteria like E. coli have a natural defense against antibiotics--an enzyme called NDM-1. Researchers now have a more detailed understanding of how the enzyme works. NDM-1 binds to and breaks the ß-lactam ring, a structure that antibiotics need to function. Certain metals, including zinc, manganese and cadmium, can bind to the enzyme’s active site and to the ß-lactam ring. While some metals allow the enzyme to cleave the ring, cadmium tends to prevent it from doing so. This inhibitor may offer clues to designing more effective antibiotics, especially ones for drug-resistant “superbugs.”
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - Category: Research Source Type: news