Ampicillin is a β-lactam antibiotic within the penicillin family. As a member of this family, Ampicillin is susceptible to β-lactamase, which hydrolyzes the β-lactam ring. This broad spectrum antibiotic is effective against gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria and anaerobic bacteria.

Ampicillin is widely used in cell culture as a selective agent it is also used for selection of ampicillin resistant bacteria. As an antibiotic, Ampicillin binds to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) on a susceptible organism and inhibits cell wall synthesis by interfering with the enzymes responsible for the formation of the organisms cell wall. After binding to the PBPs, Ampicillin acts as a structural analog of acyl-D-alanyl-D-alanine, acylates the transpeptidase enzyme and thereby prevents the cross-linking of the peptidoglycan of the cell wall necessary for the growth of the bacterium. 

Additional Information

Additional Information