CAS: 71830-06-3

3-Oxocyclopentanecarboxylic acid is a stereoselective antibiotic that inhibits bacterial growth by binding to the enzyme (S)-3-oxoacyl-[acyl-carrier protein] synthase. This enzyme is an integral part of the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitters, such as gamma amino butyric acid and GABA, which are inhibitory neurotransmitters. 3-Oxocyclopentanecarboxylic acid is capable of inhibiting bacterial growth by binding to this enzyme and preventing its synthesis. This leads to an accumulation of (R)-3-oxoacyl-[acyl-carrier protein] synthase in bacteria, which causes an increase in production of glutamate, a potent excitatory neurotransmitter. The stereoselective nature of 3-Oxocyclopentanecarboxylic acid has been shown using stereoselective reduction reactions on a chiral Australian natural product.

(S)-3-Oxocyclopentanecarboxylic acid