Several cysteinyl peptides have been synthesised and shown to be reversible
competitive inhibitors of the Bacillus cereus metallo-beta -lactamase. The
pH dependence of pK(i) indicates that the thiol anion displaces hydroxide
ion from the active site zinc(II). D,D-Peptides bind to the enzyme better t
han other diastereoisomers, which is compatible with the predicted stereoch
emistry of the active site. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser
ved.