Penicillin-binding protein (PBP)

Definition

Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are bacterial enzymes that are essential for the synthesis of peptidoglycan, a key component of the cell wall. They are the target site for β-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. PBPs play a crucial role in the final stages of assembling the bacterial cell wall by catalyzing the cross-linking of peptidoglycan strands.
2. β-lactam antibiotics inhibit PBPs, disrupting cell wall synthesis and leading to bacterial cell death.
3. Mutations in PBPs can lead to antibiotic resistance by reducing the binding affinity of β-lactam antibiotics.
4. There are multiple types of PBPs within a single bacterium, each with distinct but overlapping functions.
5. PBPs have different affinities for various β-lactam antibiotics, which influences the effectiveness of these drugs.

Review Questions

Related terms

Peptidoglycan:

A polymer that forms a protective layer outside the plasma membrane of most bacteria.

β-Lactam Antibiotics: A class of broad-spectrum antibiotics that includes penicillin and its derivatives.

Antibiotic Resistance:

The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic through various mechanisms, including mutations in target sites like PBPs.