The Sound of Evolution
Meropenem
Mechanism of action:
Meropenem is a β-lactam antibiotic that belongs to the carbapenem class. The β-lactam ring of Meropenem binds to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in bacteria and inhibits their transpeptidase activity. This prevents crosslinking of peptidoglycan chains, weakens the bacterial cell wall, and ultimately causes bacterial lysis and death due to osmotic pressure.
Reference(s):
1. Kanazawa K et al. (1997). Structure-activity relationships of carbapenem compounds to anti-Haemophilus influenzae activity and affinity for penicillin-binding proteins. Effect of 1 beta-methyl group and C-2 side chain. J Antibiot (Tokyo).
2. Ubukata K et al. (2001). Association of amino acid substitutions in penicillin-binding protein 3 with beta-lactam resistance in beta-lactamase-negative ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae. Antimicrob Agents Chemother.