Beta-Lactam Antibiotics

The cell wall maintains cell integrity, prevents cell lysis from high osmotic pressure, and surrounds the cytoplasmic membrane.

The cell wall is composed of a complex, cross-linked polymer of polysaccharides and peptides known as peptidoglycan, which contains alternating amino sugars: N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM).

Penicillin-binding protein (PBP) is an enzyme that removes the terminal alanine in the process of forming a cross-link with a nearby peptide, which gives the cell wall its rigidity.

<p>Beta-lactam antibiotics, as structural analogs of the natural d-Ala-d-Ala substrate, covalently bind to the active site of PBPs, thus inhibiting the transpeptidation reaction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The polysaccharide part of the peptidoglycan contains alternating amino sugars: N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM).</p> Signup and view all the answers