RESEARCH: Β-LACTMASES
FOLDING PROJECT #16462 PROFILE

This project looks at an ancient version of a bacterial enzyme called beta-lactamase, which breaks down penicillin. By comparing this old enzyme to modern ones, scientists hope to find weak spots 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.

Tem-1 β-Lactamase

An enzyme that breaks down penicillin-like antibiotics.

Tem-1 β-Lactamase is an enzyme produced by some bacteria that allows them to break down penicillin and other similar antibiotics. This makes the bacteria resistant to these drugs. Scientists are studying this enzyme to understand how it works and to find new ways to combat antibiotic resistance.

β-Lactamase

An enzyme that breaks down penicillin-like antibiotics.

β-Lactamases are enzymes produced by bacteria that allow them to break down penicillin and other similar antibiotics. This makes the bacteria resistant to these drugs. β-Lactamase production is a major challenge in treating bacterial infections.

Antibiotic Resistance

The ability of bacteria to withstand the effects of antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health threat. When bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, infections become harder to treat. This can lead to longer illnesses, more hospitalizations, and even death. Antibiotic resistance is caused by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics.

Gram Negative

A classification of bacteria based on their cell wall structure.

Gram-negative bacteria are a type of bacteria that have a thin peptidoglycan layer in their cell walls. This makes them resistant to some antibiotics. Examples of gram-negative bacteria include E. coli and Salmonella.