Lysostaphin

Literature References: Antibiotic protein complex produced by Staphylococcus staphyloliticus with highly specific lytic activity against other Staphylococcus species. Contains three enzymes: a hexosaminidase, an amidase, and the major component, an endopeptidase which cleaves the polyglycine cross-linkages in the staphylococcal cell wall. Isoln and antibacterial spectrum: Schindler, Schuhardt, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 51, 414 (1964). Prepn by fermentation: eidem, US 3278378 (1966); Zygmunt, Browder, US 3398056 (1968 to Mead Johnson). The endopeptidase is a single polypeptide chain of mol wt 25,000: H. R. Trayer, C. E. Buckley, J. Biol. Chem. 245, 4842 (1970). Identification of active principle: H. P. Browder et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 19, 383 (1965). Characterization of three enzyme components: T. Wadstrom, O. Vesterberg, Acta Pathol. Microbiol. Scand. 79, 248 (1971); O.-J. Iversen, A. Grov, Eur. J. Biochem. 38, 293 (1973). Clinical studies to eradicate Staph. aureus from nasal carriers: R. L. Harris et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 1967, 110; K. E. Quickel et al., Appl. Microbiol. 1971, 446. Use as identification method for Staphylococcus sp.: K. H. Schleifer, W. E. Kloos, J. Clin. Microbiol. 1, 337 (1975); P. J. Severance et al., ibid. 11, 724 (1980); disk modification: B. Poutrel, J.-P. Caffin, ibid. 13, 1023 (1982). Review: Zygmunt, Tavormina, Progress in Drug Research Vol. 16, E. Jucker, Ed. (Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, 1972) pp 309-333.