noun
- an enzyme produced by certain bacteria that breaks down penicillin and makes it ineffective
Usage: biochemistry
Examples
- The bacteria produced penicillinase, rendering the antibiotic treatment useless.
- Penicillinase-resistant antibiotics were developed to combat drug-resistant infections.
- Laboratory tests showed high levels of penicillinase in the bacterial culture.
- The discovery of penicillinase explained why some patients didn’t respond to penicillin.
- Scientists are studying how penicillinase contributes to antibiotic resistance.
- The enzyme penicillinase cleaves the beta-lactam ring in penicillin molecules.