Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

The Use of a β-lactamase-based Conductimetric Biosensor Assay to Detect Biomolecular Interactions
Published on: February 1, 2018
The ABCD's of β-lactamase nomenclature
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University Bloomington, Simon Hall 102B, 212 S. Hawthorne Dr., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA. karbush@indiana.edu
Abstract:
β-Lactamases can be named on the basis of molecular characteristics or functional properties. Molecular classes A, B, C, and D define an enzyme according to amino acid sequence and conserved motifs. Functional groups 1, 2, and 3 are used to assign a clinically useful description to a family of enzymes, with subgroups designated according to substrate and inhibitor profiles. In addition, other designations are used to define the functionality of specific subgroups, such as extended-spectrum β-lactamases, or ESBLs, and inhibitor-resistant TEM, or IRT, β-lactamases. None of these systems provides an unambiguous description of this versatile set of enzymes. A proposed classification system involving microbiological, molecular, and biochemical properties is described, based on the traditional classes A, B, C, and D and functional groups 1, 2, and 3 designations.
Related Concept Videos
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis
Nomenclature of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: Amides and Nitriles
The IUPAC and common names of amides are derived from the parent carboxylic acid, by replacing the suffix “oic acid” and “ic acid,” respectively, with “amide.” In the following example, the IUPAC name ethanamide is derived from ethanoic acid, and the common name, acetamide, is obtained from acetic acid.
Nomenclature of Aryl and Heterocyclic Amines
Nomenclature of Secondary and Tertiary Amines
IUPAC Nomenclature of Ketones
Nomenclature of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: Acid Halides, Esters, and Acid Anhydrides
The IUPAC and common names of acid halides are derived from the corresponding carboxylic acids, by changing “ic acid” to “yl halide.” For example, as shown below, the IUPAC name ethanoyl chloride is derived from ethanoic acid, and the common name, acetyl chloride, is obtained from acetic acid.

