Aztreonam (CAS 78110-38-0)

Aztreonam, with the CAS number 78110-38-0, is a synthetic monocyclic beta-lactam antibiotic belonging to the monobactam subclass that is specifically designed to target Gram-negative bacteria. Its action mechanism is distinctively focused on inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. Aztreonam achieves this by binding with high affinity to penicillin-binding protein 3 (PBP3), which plays a critical role in the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall. By interfering with PBP3′s activity, aztreonam inhibits the cross-linking of the peptidoglycan layer, which is essential for maintaining cell wall integrity. This disruption leads to the prevention of cell wall construction, culminating in bacterial cell lysis and death. In research, aztreonam is particularly valued for its stability against beta-lactamases, enzymes produced by many bacteria that degrade beta-lactam antibiotics, making it an excellent candidate for studying resistance mechanisms. Researchers utilize aztreonam to explore how bacteria evolve to resist antibiotics, examining genetic mutations and protein expression changes that confer resistance. Additionally, its unique structure compared to other beta-lactams makes aztreonam a useful tool in studying the specificity and binding dynamics of beta-lactam antibiotics with PBPs, thereby contributing to broader research into antibiotic design and bacterial resistance strategies.