Crystallography and QM/MM Simulations Identify Preferential Binding of Hydrolyzed Carbapenem and Penem Antibiotics to the L1 Metallo-β-Lactamase in the Imine Form

Widespread bacterial resistance to carbapenem antibiotics is an increasing global health concern. Resistance has emerged due to carbapenem-hydrolyzing enzymes, including metallo-beta-lactamases (M beta Ls), but despite their prevalence and clinical importance, M beta L mechanisms are still not fully understood. Carbapenem hydrolysis by M beta Ls can yield alternative product tautomers with the potential to access different binding modes. Here, we show that a combined approach employing crystallography and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulations allow tautomer assignment in M beta L:hydrolyzed antibiotic complexes. Molecular simulations also examine (meta)stable species of alternative protonation and tautomeric states, providing mechanistic insights into beta-lactam hydrolysis. We report the crystal structure of the hydrolyzed carbapenem ertapenem bound to the L1 M beta L from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and model alternative tautomeric and protonation states of both hydrolyzed ertapenem and faropenem (a related penem antibiotic), which display different binding modes with L1. We show how the structures of both complexed beta-lactams are best described as the (2S)-imine tautomer with the carboxylate formed after beta-lactam ring cleavage deprotonated. Simulations show that enamine tautomer complexes are significantly less stable (e.g., showing partial loss of interactions with the L1 binuclear zinc center) and not consistent with experimental data. Strong interactions of Tyr32 and one zinc ion (Zn1) with ertapenem prevent a C6 group rotation, explaining the different binding modes of the two beta-lactams. Our findings establish the relative stability of different hydrolyzed (carba)penem forms in the L1 active site and identify interactions important to stable complex formation, information that should assist inhibitor design for this important antibiotic resistance determinant.

Automated summary

The widespread bacterial resistance to carbapenem antibiotics, due to carbapenem-hydrolyzing enzymes including metallo-beta-lactamases, is a growing global health concern. A combined approach utilizing crystallography and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics simulations allowed for the assignment of tautomers in M beta L:hydrolyzed antibiotic complexes, providing insights into beta-lactam hydrolysis mechanisms. The relative stability of different hydrolyzed forms of (carba)penems in the L1 active site was established, identifying important interactions for stable complex formation and potentially aiding in inhibitor design for combating antibiotic resistance.