Role of Extracellular Proteases in Biofilm Disruption of Gram Positive Bacteria with Special Emphasis on Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms

Bacterial biofilms are multicellular structures akin to citadels which have individual bacterial cells embedded within a matrix of a self-synthesized polymeric or proteinaceous material. Since biofilms can establish themselves on both biotic and abiotic surfaces and that bacteria residing in these complex molecular structures are much more resistant to antimicrobial agents than their planktonic equivalents, makes these entities a medical and economic nuisance. Of late, several strategies have been investigated that intend to provide a sustainable solution to treat this problem. More recently role of extracellular proteases in disruption of already established bacterial biofilms and in prevention of biofilm formation itself has been demonstrated. The present review aims to collectively highlight the role of bacterial extracellular proteases in biofilm disruption of Gram positive bacteria. The article includes description of anti-biofilm activity of both endogenously produced extracellular proteases as well as extraneously applied proteases against biofilms formed by important Gram positive pathogens.