A type of enzyme responsible for bacterial resistance to penicillin-type antibiotics. Penicillin and related antibiotics have a common element in their molecular structure, a four atom ring known as a beta-lactam? (See ampicillin for an example of a penicillin structure). The lactamase enzyme breaks that ring down, rendering the molecule inactive as an antibiotic. |
A type of enzyme responsible for bacterial resistance to penicillin-type antibiotics. Penicillin and related antibiotics have a common element in their molecular structure, a four atom ring known as a Beta-Lactam (See ampicillin for an example of a penicillin structure). The lactamase enzyme breaks that ring down, rendering the molecule inactive as an antibiotic. |