6 β-Bromopenicillanic acid inactivates β-lactamase I

Abstract
The inactivation of .beta.-lactamase I [EC 3.5.2.6 from Bacillus cereus] by preparations of 6.alpha.-bromopenicillanic acid showed unexpected kinetic features that indicated that the active species was the 6.beta.-epimer. Samples containing 6.beta.-bromopenicillanic acid were synthesized and they inactivated the enzyme in a rapid stoicheiometric reaction.