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Updated: Jan 12, 2026
The Use of a β-lactamase-based Conductimetric Biosensor Assay to Detect Biomolecular Interactions
Published on: February 1, 2018
Emergence and characterization of lipidated β-lactamases
Thomas Smisek1, Walter Fast2, Christian P Whitman2
1Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States.
Abstract:
Since the discovery of penicillin, β-lactam antibiotics have been a mainstay for the treatment of bacterial infections. Resistance to β-lactam antibiotics via β-lactamase enzymes was identified before β-lactams even reached a clinical setting, and decades of use has only increased the risk posed by β-lactam resistance, largely driven by β-lactamase enzymes. While most β-lactamases are soluble periplasmic enzymes, a minority are membrane anchored lipoproteins. With the emergence and proliferation of the highly potent New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) in the late 2000's, lipidated β-lactamases have catapulted from little more than biochemical curiosities, to key features of one of the most potent and prevalent antibiotic resistance enzymes. NDM is the most well-known lipidated β-lactamase. However, recent work highlights both emerging lipidated β-lactamases as well as the fact that lipidation may be more common in previously characterized β-lactamases than thought.
Insights
The emergence of lipidated beta-lactamase enzymes, like New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM), poses a significant threat to antibiotic efficacy. Understanding these membrane-associated enzymes is crucial for combating growing bacterial resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Drug Resistance
Background:
- Beta-lactam antibiotics are critical for treating bacterial infections but face widespread resistance.
- Beta-lactamase enzymes are the primary drivers of this resistance.
- Most beta-lactamases are soluble, but a subset are membrane-anchored lipoproteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the increasing importance of lipidated beta-lactamases.
- To discuss the role of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) as a potent example.
- To suggest that lipidation may be more common in known beta-lactamases than previously recognized.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on beta-lactamase enzymes.
- Analysis of the structural and functional characteristics of lipidated beta-lactamases.
- Examination of the prevalence and impact of NDM and other emerging lipidated enzymes.
Main Results:
- Lipidated beta-lactamases, particularly NDM, have become significant contributors to antibiotic resistance.
- These enzymes are increasingly prevalent and potent.
- Evidence suggests lipidation is a more widespread phenomenon among beta-lactamases than previously assumed.
Conclusions:
- Lipidated beta-lactamases represent a critical and evolving challenge in antimicrobial resistance.
- Further research into these membrane-associated enzymes is essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies.
- The prevalence of lipidation in beta-lactamase enzymes warrants re-evaluation of previously characterized enzymes.
