Conclusion The binding of both vancomycin and ristocetin A to AC-D-Ala-D-Ala is remarkably efficient. In the case of vancomycin, the most striking result of the present work is to establish the formation of a “carboxylate anion binding pocket” upon complexation with Ac- DAla-DAla. This pocket has hydrophobic walls on two sides, formed from aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon groups, thus strengthening the hydrogen bonds that occur within it. ...
