Penam

Abstract: Described in this article are studies of structurally novel [3.2.0]bicyclic β-lactam ring systems that are isomeric to those of the penicillin, penem, and clavulanic acid families of antibiotics, but which have the lactam functionality arranged in alternative orientations within the four-membered ring. Semiempirical calculations indicate that the thermodynamic stabilities of the three alternative isomeric ring systems are similar to that of the classical penam or penem structure, and ab initio methods reveal that the LUMO energies of the two C-fused ring structures 11 and 12 are more than 1 eV lower than that of 2-azetidinone, but 0.22 to 0.73 eV higher than that of the penem ring 13. The LUMO energy of the N−S fused penem structure 14 is about 0.2 eV lower than that of 13. These studies also suggest that the N-fused bicyclic β-lactams are considerably more electrophilic than the corresponding C-fused compounds. Several of the new heterocyclic rings were synthesized using a two-step cyclization strategy t...

Abstract: Bridged monobactams are novel, potent, mechanism-based inhibitors of class C beta-lactamases, designed using X-ray crystal structures of the enzymes. They stabilize the acyl-enzyme intermediate by blocking access of water to the enzyme-inhibitor ester bond. Bridged monobactams are selective class C beta-lactamase inhibitors, with half-inhibition constants as low as 10 nM, and are less effective against class A and class B enzymes (half-inhibition constants > 100 microM) because of the different hydrolysis mechanisms in these classes of beta-lactamases. The stability of the acyl-enzyme complexes formed with class C beta-lactamases (half-lives up to 2 days were observed) enabled determination of their crystal structures. The conformation of the inhibitor moiety was close to that predicted by molecular modeling, confirming a simple reaction mechanism, unlike those of known beta-lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid and penam sulfones, which involve secondary rearrangements. Synergy between the bridged monobactams and beta-lactamase-labile antibiotics could be observed when such combinations were tested against strains of Enterobacteriaceae that produce large amounts of class C beta-lactamases. The minimal inhibitory concentration of the antibiotic of more than 64 mg/L could be decreased to 0.25 mg/L in a 1:4 combination with the inhibitor.

Abstract: In summary, Table XVI shows the inhibition profiles of representative beta-lactamases from each major class of Richmond and Sykes. Either resistance (R) or sensitivity (S) is given as a general guide to the type of compounds likely to inhibit each class. Thus the (qualitative) statements regarding the effectiveness of clavulanic acid can be taken to represent those for the penam sulfones and similarly for MM4550 and the other olivanic acids, carpetimycins, PS series, and asparenomycins. This can also be said of cloxacillin and the other aromatic carboxamido penicillins. Compounds are also included which are specifically or particularly inhibitory to certain beta-lactamases.