Clavams are a class of antibiotics. This antibiotic is derived from Streptomyces clavuligerus NRRL 3585. ^[1] Clavam is produced to form a new β-lactam antibiotic. ^[1] This class is divided into the clavulanic acid class and the 5S clavams class. Both groups are the outcomes of the fermentation process produced by Streptomyces spp. ^[2] Clavulanic acid is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and 5S clavams may have anti-fungal properties. They are similar to penams, but with an oxygen substituted for the sulfur. ^[3] Thus, they are also known as oxapenams.

An example is clavulanic acid, ^[4] from which this compound class receives its name.

Clavulanic acid, a type of clavam, has antibiotic properties. It can be used as a medication to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Clavam tablets may be effective for short-term treatment of bronchitis, cystitis, sinusitis, otitis media, or skin infections. ^{[5] [6]} Clavams are commonly used in conjunction with other antibiotics such as amoxicillin to produce a broader therapeutic effect. "One of the most valuable multipurpose and incredible trade of antibiotics is the β-lactams group. ^[7]

Clavulanic acid strongly inhibits β-lactamase in bacteria, which is associated with its antibiotic properties. β-Lactam antibiotics generally have a common feature which is the 3-carbon and 1-nitrogen ring (β-lactam ring) that is highly reactive. ^[8] Different molecules of the Clavam class have been shown to inhibit the action of several fungal species. 5S clavams do not have an inhibitory effect on β-lactamase, but are involved in methionine biosynthesis inhibition, making them bacteriostatic agents. ^[9] Additionally, 5S Clavams may have inhibitory effects on RNA synthesis, which is a common property of anti-fungal medications. ^[10] Clavams have wide-ranging bioactivity, and may have greater therapeutic use than current research indicates. ^[11] Because of their activity on β-lactamase, this class of antibiotics can evade antibiotic resistance in bacteria, which is a risk associated with other antibiotics such as penicillins.

Regulation of clavam-biosynthesis in S. clavuligerus

In S. Clavuligerus infection, a Streptomyces antibiotic regulatory protein known as cephamycin and clavulanic acid regulator (CcaR) is encoded into the cephamycin gene cluster. This is essential for the cephamycin C and clavulanic acid, but not the 5S claims. CcaR is important for the expression of polycistronic transcripts, which are early genes for clavulanic acid biosynthesis. This is also a key factor for activating its own transcription by binding to its own promoting region. ^[12]

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