Bacterial production of carbapenems and clavams: evolution of beta-lactam antibiotic pathways.

ABSTRACT

Research into two of the four classes of naturally produced beta-lactams--the clavams and carbapenems--has started to throw light upon their biochemical pathways and underlying genetics. Interesting similarities between these two classes, from their joint discovery to an apparently common beta-lactam ring-forming enzyme, are now being revealed.