β-lactamase /β-lac·ta·mase/ (lak´tah-mās) any of a group of enzymes, produced by almost all gram-negative bacteria, that hydrolyze the β-lactam ring of penicillins and cephalosporins, destroying their antibiotic activity. Individual enzymes may be called penicillinases or cephalosporinases based on their specificities.
beta-lactamase
be·ta-lac·ta·mase (b  t -l k t-ms, -mz)n. Any of various enzymes that are produced by gram-negative bacteria and hydrolyze lactam rings, thereby inactivating penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics. Also called cephalosporinase, penicillinase. |
beta-lactamase
[-lak′təmāz]
Etymology: lactam, a cyclic amide, ase, enzyme
a bacterial enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the beta-lactam ring of some penicillins and cephalosporins, producing penicilloic acid and rendering the antibiotic ineffective. Also called cephalosporinase, penicillinase.
β-lactamase
either of two enzymes: β-lactamase I is penicillinase; β-lactamase II is cephalosporinase.
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