Lysostaphin, a zinc metalloenzyme, is mainly secreted as a proenzyme. It acts as an anti-staphylococcal agent and is highly stable at pH 4 and 5°C.

Lysostaphin from Staphylococcus simulans has been used in a study to assess molecular cloning, sequencing, and expression of lytM, a unique autolytic gene of Staphylococcus aureus. It has also been used in a study to investigate the sequence analysis of a Staphylococcus aureus gene encoding a peptidoglycan hydrolase activity.

A protein complex with highly specific lytic activity against Staphylococcus species, including Staphylococcus aureus.

Lysostaphin possesses a lytic action against Staphylococcus aureus, which is used to treat antibiotic-resistant staphylococcal infections. It has the properties of enzymes, such as glycylglycine endopeptidase, endo-β-N-acetyl glucosamidase and N-acetyl muramyl-L-alanine amidase. Lysostaphin is also used as a preservative in food industry and in clinical labs for rapid screening.

The antimicrobial activity of lysostaphin, a metalloendopeptidase expressed by Staphylococcus simulans, is enhanced by binding to the C′ terminus of the membrane-associated Trap protein of Staphylococcus aureus.