A number of multiresistant bacterial pathogens inactivate antibiotics by producing Zn(II)-dependent β-lactamases. We show that metal uptake leading to an active dinuclear enzyme in the periplasmic space of Gram-negative bacteria is ensured by a cysteine residue, an unusual metal ligand in oxidizing environments. Kinetic, structural and affinity data show that such Zn(II)-cysteine interaction is...

By their conformational flexibility, Möbius aromatic hexaphyrins provide a dynamic chirality attractive to develop stimuli responsive systems such as chiroptical switches. A regular [28]hexaphyrin has been equipped with chiral coordinating arm achieve transfer of from fix stereogenic element the one. The allows straightforward formation labile monometallic ZnII complexes an exogenous ligand, ei...