BlaB, a protein involved in the regulation of Streptomyces cacaoi beta-lactamases, is a penicillin-binding protein.

Streptomyces cacaoi beta-lactamase genes are controlled by two regulators named blaA and blaB. Whereas BlaA has been identified as a LysR-type activator, the function of BlaB is still unknown. Its primary structure is similar to that of the serine penicillin-recognizing enzymes (PREs). Indeed, the SXXK and KTG motifs are perfectly conserved in BlaB, whereas the common SXN element found in PREs is replaced by a SDG motif. Site-directed mutations were introduced in these motifs and they all disturb beta-lactamase regulation. A water-soluble form of BlaB was also overexpressed in the Streptomyces lividans TK24 cytoplasm and purified. To elucidate the activity of BlaB, several compounds recognized by PREs were tested. BlaB could be acylated by some of them, and it can therefore be considered as a penicillin-binding protein. BlaB is devoid of beta-lactamase, D-aminopeptidase, DD-carboxypeptidase or thiolesterase activity.