A bifunctional monocyclic beta-lactam cross-links across the active site of beta-lactamase

A 4-alkoxy-2-azetidinone behaves as a bifunctional active site-directed inhibitor of the class A beta-lactamase from Bacillus cereus 569/H. It cross-links SER 70 and LYS 234 as it binds in a approximately 1:1 ratio. The cross-linked enzyme is irreversibly inhibited while the secondary structure is partially stabilized under conditions when the native enzyme is otherwise converted to a form with no detectable secondary structure by circular dichroism.