Antibiotics Target: Cell Wall

Question 1

Bacitracin

Answer 1

Inhibits the dephosphorylation of bactoprenol (following addition of NAM to peptidoglycan) by forming a tight complex with magnesium
This prevents bactoprenol cycling
Active against gram positive bacteria

Question 2

Beta lactams

Answer 2

Penicillin, cephalosporin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, methicillin
Long term inactivation of serine hydrolase transpeptidases by cycling with them as a pseudosubstrate

Question 3

Vancomycin

Answer 3

Glycopeptide antibiotic
Binds d-ala-d-ala tails on pentapeptide, preventing its cross linking
Effective against gram positive bacteria including Clostridium dificile

Question 4

Fosfomycin (phospomycin)

Answer 4

Inhibits pyruvyl transferase in the transfer of three carbon atoms from phosphoenolpyruvate to UDP-NAG
Used in urinary tract infections