NCIt definition : A semi-synthetic penicillin compound with bactericidal properties. Hetacillin is a
prodrug that is converted to ampicillin via esterases. Ampicillin binds to inactivated
penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located on the inner membrane of the bacterial
cell wall. PBPs, including transpeptidases, carboxypeptidases, and endopeptidases,
participate in the terminal stages of assembling the bacterial cell wall and in reshaping
the cell wall during growth and division. This results in the weakening of the bacterial
cell wall and eventually causes cell lysis. (NCI05);