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Overview
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Background
β-lactams, like Ticarcillin Disodium, USP, interfere with PBP (penicillin binding protein) activity involved in the final phase of peptidoglycan synthesis. PBP’s are enzymes which catalyze a pentaglycine crosslink between alanine and lysine residues providing additional strength to the cell wall. Without a pentaglycine crosslink, the integrity of the cell wall is severely compromised and ultimately leads to cell lysis and death. Resistance to β-lactams is commonly due to cells containing plasmid encoded β-lactamases.
Clavulanic acid is a “suicide” or “mechanism based” β-lactamase inhibitor. Clavulanic acid contains a β-lactam ring that binds strongly to β-lactamase at or near its activation site, thereby permanently inhibiting enzymatic activity. This action protects other beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins, etc.) from β-lactamase catalysis, thereby enhancing their antibacterial activity.
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- Properties
- Applications
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Overview