*2.3.5.3 Proteases*

Proteases act as antibiofilm agents because they are able to inhibit cell-cell communication, in biofilms, via hydrolysis of extracellular protein fibers and surface adhesins [104]. Subtilisins, a class of serine proteases produced by Bacillus species, were reported to prevent the adherence of microorganisms to surfaces [119]. The coating of silicone surfaces with multiple layers of amylase or acylase has been found to inhibit biofilm formation in case of *P. aeruginosa* and *S. aureus* [120]. Another example is lysostaphin, a metalloprotease produced by *Staphylococcus simulans*, was shown to prevent the adherence of *S. aureus* to lysostaphin-coated catheters [121].
