The mechanisms of catalysis by β-lactamases

In this chapter, the catalytic mechanisms of β-lactamases are discussed in detail. After an introduction on the reactivity of compounds containing the the β-lactam ring, each class of β-lactamases is reviewed and analysed in terms of essential residues and active site chemistry. Special attention is given to class B enzymes (metallo-β-lactamases or MBLs) for which many questions remain presently unanswered and which seem to exhibit specific mechanisms depending on the subclass.