Open AccessThe phage K lytic enzyme LysK and lysostaphin act synergistically to kill MRSA
Author(s) -
Becker Stephen C.,
FosterFrey Juli,
Donovan David M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2008.01308.x
Subject(s) - lysostaphin , lytic cycle , lysin , staphylococcus aureus , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteriophage , lysis , bacteriocin , staphylococcus pseudintermedius , methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus , biology , staphylococcus , chemistry , antimicrobial , virology , bacteria , escherichia coli , virus , biochemistry , gene , genetics
LysK is the endolysin from the staphylococcal bacteriophage K, and can digest the cell wall of many staphylococci. Lysostaphin is a bacteriocin secreted by Staphylococcus simulans to kill Staphylococcus aureus . Both LysK and lysostaphin have been shown to lyse methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA). This study describes optimal reaction conditions for the recombinant His‐tagged LysK protein (pH range pH 6–10, and 0.3–0.5 M NaCl), and C‐His‐LysK MIC (32.85±4.87 μg mL −1 ). LysK and lysostaphin demonstrate antimicrobial synergy by the checkerboard assay.