Penicillin is a potent antibiotic. It binds covalently with a serine residue at

Question

Penicillin is a potent antibiotic. It binds covalently with a serine residue at the transpeptidase active site and prevents this enzyme from synthesizing the bacterial cell wall. Which of the following is the most likely mechanism of action of penicillin? a. Penicillin acts as a reversible competitive inhibitor. b. Penicillin is an allosteric regulator. c. Penicillin behaviors like an allosteric, non-competitive inhibitor. d. Penicillin is an irreversible inhibitor. e. Penicillin acts as a reversible, non-competitive inhibitor.

Explanation / Answer

d. Penicillin is an irreversible inhibitor.

Penicillin irreversibly blocks bacterial cell wall synthesis by inhibiting the formation of peptidoglycan cross-links. Penicillin acts by covalently modifying the enzyme transpeptidase, thereby preventing the synthesis of bacterial cell walls and thus killing the bacteria

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