Abstract

The developments in the area of inhibition of different serine enzymes by βlactams have been reviewed recently [1]. Since then, the following advances have been made: development of synthetic methodology for the preparation of enantiomerically pure lactams, whose inhibiting properties have been previously established; preparation of novel antibacterial cephams; synthesis of prodrugs containing dual inhibitors of PBPs and βlactamases; and the discovery of monocyclic βlactams, whose mode of action and structure-activity profiles differ dramatically from those of traditional βlactam drugs.

Keywords: lactams, serine enzymes, antibacterial cephams, monocyclic lactams