penicillinase
- n enzyme produced by certain bacteria that inactivates penicillin and results in resistance to that antibiotic
- The plasmid acquired by the staph bug contained a gene that directs the production of a penicillinase, an enzyme that cracks apart invading penicillin molecules, making them .
- Their secret weapon: an enzyme called penicillinase ("penicillin destroyer") that breaks apart the antibiotic.