Cefradine (also known as cephradine) is a first generation cephalosporin antibiotic similar to cephalexin. It targets both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. In addition, cefradine has been used to study penicillin binding proteins, especially PBP3.
Cephalosporins are a type of -lactam antibiotic consisting of a four-membered -lactam ring bound to a six-membered dihydrothiazine ring. This two-ring system causes distortion of the -lactam amide bond, resulting in decreased resonance stabilization and increased reactivity. -lactams inhibit the formation of peptidoglycan cross-links within bacterial cell walls by targeting penicillin-binding proteins or PBPs. Consequently, the bacterial cell wall becomes weak and cytolysis occurs. Cephalosporins are less susceptible to -lactamases than the penicillin -lactam antibiotics.
