The inhibition of class C β-lactamases by boronic acids

Abstract

Aromatic boronic acids are reversible inhibitors of the recently classified class C β-lactamases. The boronic acids studied include ortho-, meta- and para-methyl-, -hydroxymethyl- and -formyl-phenylboronic acid. The β-lactamases were chromosomally-encoded enzymes, one from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the other specified by the ampC gene of Escherichia coli. The inhibition may be correlated with our finding that these β-lactamases are serine enzymes, i.e. their function entails the hydroxy group of a serine residue acting as a nucleophile.