does penicillin (beta-lactamase inhibitors) affect viruses?

[Joseph DiRienzo]

P. Colton -

Penicillin inhibits the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan by blocking
crosslinking. The antibotic is a structural analog  of D-alanyl-D-alanine
so it is recognized by the transpeptidase. Peptidoglycan is the cell wall
polymer found exclusively in prokaryotic cells.

Joseph DiRienzo, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania




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