Vancomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic, used in the treatment of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. vancomycin is not active against Gram-negative bacteria (except some non-gonococcal species of Neisseria). The main target of this antibiotic is the D-alanyl-D-alanine terminal dipeptide of peptidoglycan precursors, used by bacteria for constructing their cell walls. This prevents the reaction used to link peptidoglycan precursors together from taking place. Vancomycin binds with the substrate, not the enzyme, in contrast to the way penicillin inhibits peptidoglycan synthesis.
The large hydrophilic molecule is able to form hydrogen bond interactions with the terminal D-alanyl-D-alanine moieties of the NAM/NAG-peptides. Under normal circumstances, this is a five-point interaction. This binding of vancomycin to the D-Ala-D-Ala prevents cell wall synthesis in two ways. It prevents the synthesis of the long polymers of N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) that form the backbone strands of the bacterial cell wall, and it prevents the backbone polymers that do manage to form from cross-linking with each other.
Applications:
Suitable for use in ELISA. Other applications not tested
Recommended Dilution:
Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher.
Storage and Stability:
May be stored at 4 degrees C for short-term only. For long-term storage and to avoid repeated freezing and thawing, aliquot and store at -20 degrees C. Aliquots are stable for at least 12 months at -20 degrees C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.