expression construct for transforming a unicellular host, unicellular host cell as well as a method of producing preprolisostafine and prolisostafine free mature lysostafin endopeptidase
A portion of the lysostaphin gene of Staphylococcus simulans has been cloned and overexpressed in the cytoplasm of E. coli to yield lysostaphin, in the absence of preprolysostaphin and prolysostaphin, under the transcriptional control of an IPTG-inducible promoter and a ribosome binding site. IPTG induction of the transformed host cells produces intracellular, soluble, mature lysostaphin (27 kDa), in the complete absence of preprolysostaphin and prolysostaphin. The mature lysostaphin so formed dose not require post-translational modification. The mature lysostaphin so formed can be used treat and prevent staphylococcal infections.