The phage K lytic enzyme LysK and lysostaphin act synergistically to kill MRSA

Abstract

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.