Biapenem (CAS 120410-24-4)

Biapenem is a carbapenem antibiotic characterized by its broad-spectrum activity against a range of bacteria, particularly its effectiveness against Gram-negative organisms. Biapenem functions by targeting the bacterial cell wall synthesis, a mechanism central to maintaining the structural integrity of bacterial cells. It achieves this by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), which are crucial enzymes involved in the construction of the peptidoglycan layer that forms the cell wall. By inhibiting these proteins, biapenem disrupts the cell wall assembly, leading to cell lysis and eventual bacterial death. This action is particularly noteworthy because of its efficacy in combating bacteria that have developed resistance to other beta-lactam antibiotics. In research contexts, biapenem has been utilized to study the dynamics of bacterial resistance, especially in environments where antibiotic resistance is prevalent. Investigations involving biapenem also focus on understanding the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of carbapenems, analyzing how these compounds can be optimized to enhance their efficacy and reduce resistance development. Moreover, biapenem serves as a model compound in the development of new strategies for overcoming bacterial resistance, providing insights into the molecular interactions between antibiotics and PBPs, and informing the design of next-generation antibacterial agents.