Cefmetazole (CAS 56796-20-4)

Cefmetazole, cataloged under CAS number 56796-20-4, is a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic notable for its broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, primarily employed in research focused on bacterial cell wall synthesis and antibiotic resistance mechanisms. The fundamental mechanism of action of Cefmetazole involves the inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis, specifically by targeting and binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located on the bacterial cell wall. These proteins are crucial for the cross-linking process that gives bacterial cell walls their strength and rigidity. By binding to these PBPs, Cefmetazole blocks the transpeptidation or cross-linking step of cell wall biosynthesis, leading to the weakening of the cell wall and ultimately causing bacterial cell lysis and death. This specific interaction makes Cefmetazole a valuable tool in microbiological research, particularly in studies exploring the kinetics and dynamics of cell wall assembly in bacteria, as well as the genetic and biochemical bases of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Research employing Cefmetazole has significantly contributed to understanding how mutations in PBPs or the production of beta-lactamases can confer resistance, providing insights that are crucial for the development of new strategies to combat bacterial infections in a research context.