Objective
Research objectives and content
The most important mode of resistance to the B-lactam antibiotics occurs via their B-lactamase catalysed hydrolysis. B-actamases which require a zinc ion have received relatively little attention. Since they are resistant to inhibitors of the serine B-lactamases including clavulanic acid, the spread of zinc B-lactamase-mediated bacterial resistance to B-lactam antibiotics (including carbapenems) is frightening. In conjunction with an already existing european research project, we propose an NMR investigation of the catalytic mechanism of zinc B-lactamases. The Bacillus cereus zinc B-lactamase is expressed in E. coli and the very high yield of production allows 15N and 13C labelling of the protein. Labelled protein and its complexes with novel non-13-lactam inhibitors will be studied through Heteronuclear multidimensional NMR experiments to determine the implication of the highly conserved amino residues in the catalytic mechanism. As enzymatic activity is retained upon substitution of Zn by 1H-113Cd the role of the metal ion in the catalysis will be investigated through 1H-113Cd heteronuclear NMR.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
The success of the project will allow us to increase our knowledge of the still poorly understood catalytic mechanism of the zinc 13-lactamases, which represent a most important threat for the future of penicillin antibiotherapy.
Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)
As the design of new antibacterial compounds must rely on an improved understanding of the action of enzymes which inactivate the 13-lactam antibiotics, these studies will supply new ideas for the synthesis of potent inhibitors against the zinc 13-lactamases and new antibacterial agents.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs antibiotics
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
LE1 9HN Leicester
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.