RESEARCH: Β-LACTMASES
FOLDING PROJECT #16457 PROFILE

This project looks at an ancient enzyme that breaks down penicillin-like antibiotics. By comparing it to modern versions, scientists hope to find hidden pockets within the enzyme that could be targeted by new drugs to fight antibiotic resistance.

This project studies the E240A mutant of Tem-1 β-Lactmase β-Lactmases are enzymes which break down penicillin-like antibiotics.

This is the most common method by which bacteria become resistant to such antibiotics.

This project is simulating the most probable common ancestor (dating back to around 2 billion years ago) of modern day Gram Negative beta-lactamases.

We hope to understand the funtional significance of various cryptic pockets found in these enzymes by comparing these results to simulations of modern beta-lactamases.

Finding such functional pockets could enable us to target these enzymes with drugs that might combat this form of antibiotic resistance.

E240A

Amino acid mutation in Tem-1 beta-lactamase

E240A is a specific amino acid change (mutation) within the Tem-1 beta-lactamase enzyme. This type of mutation can alter the enzyme's function, potentially making it more resistant to certain antibiotics.

Tem-1

A type of beta-lactamase enzyme commonly found in bacteria.

Tem-1 is a type of enzyme produced by certain bacteria. This enzyme helps the bacteria break down penicillin and other similar antibiotics, making them resistant to these drugs.

beta-Lactamase

An enzyme that breaks down beta-lactam antibiotics.

Beta-lactamases are enzymes produced by bacteria. These enzymes can break down the chemical structure of penicillin and related antibiotics, making them ineffective.

Antibiotics

Drugs that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Antibiotics are medicines used to treat bacterial infections. They work by either killing bacteria or preventing them from multiplying.

Gram Negative

A classification of bacteria based on their cell wall structure.

Gram-negative bacteria are a type of bacteria that have a specific cell wall structure. This structure makes them resistant to some antibiotics.