Coupling products of amino acids to penicillin V and cephalothin: synthesis and susceptibility to carboxypeptidases and lysosomal enzymes.

Amino acids have been coupled to the carboxyl group of penicillin V and cephalothin by methods that keep the beta-lactam ring intact. Derivatives were successfully obtained with both neutral (Leu, Val, Ala, Ile, Trp, Tyr, Gly) and one acidic (Glu) amino acids. The new compounds were inactive in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus or Micrococcus luteus. Incubation in the presence of purified carboxypeptidases (A, B), soluble lysosomal fractions from liver, or cellular homogenates from liver, kidney, fibroblasts, and macrophages did not allow recovery of the antibacterial activity. Injection in mice also failed to cause liberation of microbiologically active compounds. HPLC studies confirmed that the amide linkage between the antibiotic and the amino acid was not hydrolyzed in the presence of soluble lysosomal fractions from liver. However, conversion of cephalothin and cephalothin-leucine to desacetyl derivatives was observed in the presence of soluble lysosomal fractions and extracts from liver and semipurified orange peel acetylesterase(s). It is concluded that amino acid derivatives of beta-lactam antibiotics do not offer potential chemotherapeutic use as prodrugs.