RESEARCH: Β-LACTMASES
FOLDING PROJECT #16461 PROFILE

This project studies an ancient type of enzyme called beta-lactamase, which bacteria use to break down penicillin. By comparing this old enzyme to modern ones, scientists hope to find weaknesses they could target with new drugs to fight antibiotic resistance.

Note: This TLDR is a simplication and may not be 100% accurate.

This project studies the E240D 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.

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Tem-1

A type of beta-lactamase enzyme.

Tem-1 is a common type of beta-lactamase enzyme produced by bacteria. It breaks down penicillin and other antibiotics, making the bacteria resistant to these drugs. Scientists study Tem-1 to understand how antibiotic resistance develops and to find new ways to combat it.

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beta-Lactamase

An enzyme that breaks down beta-lactam antibiotics.

Beta-lactamases are enzymes produced by bacteria that can break down the structure of penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics. This makes the bacteria resistant to these medications, posing a significant challenge in treating bacterial infections.

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Penicillin

A type of antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.

Penicillin is a widely used class of antibiotics that work by interfering with the construction of bacterial cell walls. It's effective against many types of bacteria, but some have developed resistance due to the production of beta-lactamases.

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Antibiotic Resistance

The ability of bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms to resist the effects of antibiotics. This makes infections harder to treat and can lead to more severe illness and even death. It's a major public health concern.

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Gram Negative

A classification of bacteria with a specific cell wall structure.

Gram-negative bacteria are classified based on their unique cell wall structure. They appear pink when stained using the Gram staining method. Certain types of Gram-negative bacteria are known to produce beta-lactamases, making them resistant to some antibiotics.

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Enzyme

A protein that catalyzes (speeds up) a chemical reaction.

Enzymes are biological catalysts essential for various processes within living organisms. They speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.