Abstact

The structures of the class C beta-lactamase from Enterobacter cloacae 908R alone and in complex with a boronic acid transition-state analogue were determined by X-ray crystallography at 2.1 and 2.3 A, respectively. The structure of the enzyme resembles those of other class C beta-lactamases. The structure of the complex with the transition-state analogue, iodo-acetamido-phenyl boronic acid, shows that the inhibitor is covalently bound to the active-site serine (Ser64). Binding of the inhibitor within the active site is compared with previously determined structures of complexes with other class C enzymes. The structure of the boronic acid adduct indicates ways to improve the affinity of this class of inhibitors. This structure of 908R class C beta-lactamase in complex with a transition-state analogue provides further insights into the mechanism of action of these hydrolases.