Promiscuous metallo-β-lactamases: MIM-1 and MIM-2 may play an essential role in quorum sensing networks

Metallo-β-lactamases from non-pathogenic microorganism display functional promiscuity. Docking studies indicate that both β-lactam-based antibiotics and N-acyl homoserine lactones bind to the metal ions in the active site, forming a catalytically competent Michaelis complex. Kinetic measurements demonstrate that the Co(II) derivative of the enzymes is the most efficient lactonase.265