One of the penicillins which is resistant to penicillinase but susceptible to a penicillin-binding protein. It is inactivated by gastric acid so administered by injection. [PubChem] (en)
Used to treat infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria, particularly beta-lactamase-producing organisms such as <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> that would otherwise be resistant to most penicillins. (en)
Like other beta-lactam antibiotics, meticillin acts by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. It inhibits cross-linkage between the linear peptidoglycan polymer chains that make up a major component of the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria. It does this by binding to and competitively inhibiting the transpeptidase enzyme used by bacteria to cross-link the peptide (D-alanyl-alanine) used in peptidogylcan synthesis. (en)