β-lactams represent the largest and most widely used class of antibiotics. However, β-lactamases are enzymes capable of inactivating β-lactams through an active site Ser residue or a zinc-dependent mechanism. Although Ser-β-lactamases are more commonly isolated in the clinic, metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) are becoming an ever-growing global health threat. The most prominent MBL inhibitors act by means of a Zn-dependent mode through ligand replacement (e.g. captopril, dimercaprol, cyclic boronates) or metal sequestration (e.g. aspergillomarasmine A). Although none of these inhibitors have yet to be approved for clinical use, they represent a promising tool to extend the effectiveness of current β-lactams antibiotics.
Read the full review in ScienceDirect.