Promotes binding of soluble elastin peptides and tropoelastin to S.aureus cells although it is not able to promote bacterial adherence to immobilized elastin and, therefore, is not a microbial surface component recognizing adhesive matrix molecule (MSCRAMM). May be involved in sensing the environment or in nutrient transport, since its loss caused a growth defect. The elastin-binding domain is located between residues 13-33 at the surface-exposed N-terminus, whereas the C-terminus, containing the LysM peptidoglycan-binding domain, is not exposed on the surface of intact cells and presumably remains buried within the peptidoglycan. The presence of the TNSHQD sequence, corresponding to residues 18-23, is essential for EbpS activity but not sufficient, additional flanking amino acids in the amino- or carboxy-terminal are required for elastin recognition (By similarity).