Abstract
The mechanism of the β-lactamase catalysed hydrolysis of β-lactam antibiotics is discussed and compared with that of normal serine proteases. There is little evidence for a basic group on the enzyme acting as a general base catalyst. The effect of chain length on the kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of 6-alkylpenicillins is described. The expulsion of the leaving group at C3′ in cephalosporins is reversible and is not catalysed by β-lactamase.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 241-248 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Advances in the Biosciences |
| Volume | 65 |
| Issue number | C |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 1987 |