| Accession | ARO:3000001 |
| Definition | Beta-lactamases are enzymes (EC 3.5.2.6) produced by some bacteria and are responsible for their resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillins, cephalosporins (are relatively resistant to beta-lactamase), cephamycins, and carbapenems (ertapenem). These antibiotics have a common element in their molecular structure: a four-atom ring known as a beta-lactam. The lactamase enzyme breaks that ring open, deactivating the molecule's antibacterial properties. Beta-lactam antibiotics are typically used to treat a broad spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Beta-lactamases produced by gram-negative organisms are usually secreted. |
| Resistance Mechanism | antibiotic inactivation |
| Classification | 4 ontology terms | Show |
| Parent Term(s) | 1 ontology terms | Show |
| Sub-Term(s) | 4 ontology terms | Show |
| Publications | Bush K, et al. 1995. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 39(6): 1211-1233. A functional classification scheme for beta-lactamases and its correlation with molecular structure. (PMID 7574506) Pillai DR, et al. 2011. CMAJ 183(1): 59-64. New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 in Enterobacteriaceae: emerging resistance. (PMID 21220461) Ambler RP. 1980. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 289(1036): 321-331. The structure of beta-lactamases. (PMID 6109327) Bush K and Jacoby GA. 2010. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 54(3): 969-976. Updated functional classification of beta-lactamases. (PMID 19995920) |