Inhibitors of the FEZ-1 metallo-β-lactamase

Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) catalyze the hydrolysis of β-lactams including penicillins, cephalosporins and carbapenems. Starting from benzohydroxamic acid (1) structure-activity studies led to the identification of selective inhibitors of the FEZ-1 MBL, e.g., 2,5-substituted benzophenone hydroxamic acid 17 has a Ki of 6.1 ± 0.7 μM against the FEZ-1 MBL but does not significantly inhibit the IMP-1, BcII, CphA or L1 MBLs.