Lysostaphin

Lysostaphin (EC3.4.24.75, glycyl-glycine endopeptidase) is a Staphylococcus simulans metalloendopeptidase. It can function as an antimicrobial against Staphylococcus aureus.

Lysostaphin is a 27 KDa glycylglycine endopeptidase, an antibacterial enzyme which is capable of cleaving the crosslinking pentaglycin bridges in the cell wall of Staphylococci. Lysostaphin was first isolated from a culture of Staphylococcus simulans by Schindler and Schuhardt in 1964. S. aureus cell walls contain high proportions of pentaglycin, making lysostaphin a highly effective agent against both actively growing and quiescent bacteria.