EXOPENICILLINASE Meaning and
Definition
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Exopenicillinase (also known as exo-β-lactamase or exopenicillinase type 1) is an enzyme that possesses the ability to hydrolyze and inactivate β-lactam antibiotics, particularly the penicillin group and related compounds. It is a type of β-lactamase, which refers to a class of enzymes responsible for the destruction of β-lactam antibiotics through the hydrolysis of their β-lactam rings. β-lactam antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems, are widely used to treat bacterial infections, but the emergence of β-lactamases has significantly compromised their effectiveness.
Exopenicillinases, specifically, are enzymes that act extracellularly and are secreted by certain bacteria, primarily Gram-negative organisms. They possess a larger catalytic pocket compared to other β-lactamases, allowing them to efficiently bind and hydrolyze β-lactam antibiotics, rendering them inactive. The hydrolysis of the β-lactam ring occurs through the cleavage of the amide bond, resulting in the breakdown of the antibiotic molecule.
The presence of exopenicillinases in bacteria poses a significant challenge in the management of bacterial infections, as these enzymes can confer resistance to commonly used antibiotics. This enzymatic resistance mechanism is one of the leading causes of antibiotic resistance worldwide, making the treatment of bacterial infections more challenging and requiring the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. Consequently, the study of exopenicillinases and their inhibition has garnered substantial attention in the field of antimicrobial research.
Common Misspellings for EXOPENICILLINASE
- wxopenicillinase
- sxopenicillinase
- dxopenicillinase
- rxopenicillinase
- 4xopenicillinase
- 3xopenicillinase
- ezopenicillinase
- ecopenicillinase
- edopenicillinase
- esopenicillinase
- exipenicillinase
- exkpenicillinase
- exlpenicillinase
- exppenicillinase
- ex0penicillinase
- ex9penicillinase
- exooenicillinase
- exolenicillinase
- exo-enicillinase
- exo0enicillinase
Etymology of EXOPENICILLINASE
The word "exopenicillinase" is derived from a combination of several components:
1. "Exo-": Derived from Greek "exō", meaning "outer" or "outside".
2. "Penicillin": Named after the Scottish biologist Alexander Fleming, who discovered it in 1928. The word "penicillin" is derived from the Latin word "penicillium", meaning "brush" or "painter's brush", because the mold that produces penicillin has a shape resembling a brush.
3. "-ase": A suffix commonly added to the end of words to indicate an enzyme.
Therefore, "exopenicillinase" is a word used to describe an enzyme that acts on or breaks down penicillin from the outside or outer part of the molecule.
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