Lysostaphin: an antistaphylococcal agent

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2008 Sep;80(4):555-61. doi: 10.1007/s00253-008-1579-y. Epub 2008 Jul 8.

Abstract

Lysostaphin is a zinc metalloenzyme which has a specific lytic action against Staphylococcus aureus. Lysostaphin has activities of three enzymes namely, glycylglycine endopeptidase, endo-beta-N-acetyl glucosamidase and N-acteyl muramyl-L-alanine amidase. Glycylglycine endopeptidase specifically cleaves the glycine-glycine bonds, unique to the interpeptide cross-bridge of the S. aureus cell wall. Due to its unique specificity, lysostaphin could have high potential in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant staphylococcal infections. This review article presents a current understanding of the lysostaphin and its applications in therapeutic agent as a treatment against antibiotic-resistant S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections, either alone or in combination with other antibiotics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / immunology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Drug Stability
  • Humans
  • Lysostaphin / immunology
  • Lysostaphin / pharmacology
  • Lysostaphin / therapeutic use*
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / immunology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Lysostaphin