DD-Peptidases and β-Lactamases: Catalytic Mechanisms and Specificities

Abstract

DD-peptidases and β-lactamases share several common properties, including the formation of an acylen-zyme intermediate in their catalytic pathways. In their interactions with β-lactam antibiotics, the stability of this intermediate is much higher with the peptidases than with the β-lactamases. The structural factors responsible for this difference have not been identified.

The evolution of β-lactamases is taking place before our eyes, since mutants are constantly selected which can hydrolyze the molecules newly introduced as “β-lacta-mase resistant” in the chemotherapeutic arsenal.