Penicillin binding proteins are a group of proteins found in different organisms that have high affinity for penicillin and bind themselves to penicillin. These proteins are made up of many types of bacteria. They bind themselves in different ways and as such there are both cytoplasmic bound penicillin binding proteins and membrane bound ones.

1. Penicillin Binding Protein and how it Works
in the Body
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Defining penicillin binding proteins
Penicillin binding proteins are a group of proteins found in different organisms that have high
affinity for penicillin and bind themselves to penicillin. These proteins are made up of many
types of bacteria. They bind themselves in different ways and as such there are both cytoplasmic
bound penicillin binding proteins and membrane bound ones.
Penicillin binding proteins are also different in size and scientists state that up to six different
types of these proteins can be found in one bacterium strain. These proteins may range anywhere
between 40000 to 91000 in molecular weight. Additionally, these proteins in occur in varying
numbers for every cell and each protein has a different affinity for penicillin. There are also two
different categories of the penicillin binding proteins and these include the high molecular
weight and low molecular weight penicillin binding proteins.
The roles of penicillin binding protein

2. Despite their differences, each penicillin binding protein helps in synthesizing peptidoglycan.
Basically peptidoglycan is a major component of bacterial cell walls and the penicillin binding
proteins are involved in the final stages of its synthesis. The essence of this is that bacterial walls
when synthesized promote growth of cells as well as cell division which eventually leads to
reproduction. Synthesis of these bacterial walls also helps in maintenance of the cellular structure
in bacteria.
This makes penicillin binding proteins very important in the reproduction and growth of every
organism. When these penicillin binding proteins are inhibited, the cell wall experiences
irregularities such as elongation, loss of selective permeability, redundant growth, lesions and
eventual death. This can interfere with the functioning of the body.
In addition to this, penicillin binding proteins are used in catalyzing several reactions which are
triggered by synthesis of peptidoglycan. These include catalyzing synthesis of cross linked
peptidoglycan from lipid intermediates. The proteins also catalyze the removal of D-alanine from
the peptidoglycan’s precursor.
Penicillin Resistance
There has been much debate about the link between penicillin binding proteins and their role in
antibiotic and drug resistance in the body. Several researches have been carried out to determine
how penicillin binding proteins may become ineffective leading to antibiotic resistance in the
body.
When a patient is treated with small doses of penicillin, the drug attacks the bacteria and changes
its shapes causing it to elongate and lose turgidity. As the dosage increases, the bacterial cells
completely lose integrity and eventually burst. This helps in killing bacteria and fending off the
bacterial diseases.
However, there have been cases where penicillin binding proteins have failed to execute their
role in binding certain antibiotics effectively. Basically there are three main ways through which
the body of the patient may develop resistance. There are cases where the bacteria change the
penicillin binding proteins so that even when they perform their functions, they do not bind
themselves to the drugs and hence cannot catalyze the reaction necessary to fight off the bacteria.
Another method in which the body may develop resistance is where bacteria develop effective
ways of shielding sensitive enzymes from the antibiotics administered. This method may include
the bacteria pumping the penicillin bound drugs away from the cell hence evading destruction.
The last and most effective method of penicillin resistance developed by the bacteria is creation
of a special enzyme which is called pecillinase or beta-lactamase. This enzyme seeks out the
drugs administered and destroys them.

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Online resources:
http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/101/motm.do?momID=29
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penicillin_binding_proteins
- See more at: http://www.customwritingservice.org/blog/penicillin-binding-protein-and-how-it-works-
in-the-body/