Bacteriocins and microcins are ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides that are usually
active against phylogenetically related bacteria. Thus, bacteriocins are active against Gram-positive
while microcins are active against Gram-negative bacteria. The narrow spectrum of action generally
displayed by bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria represents an important limitation for the application
of these peptides as clinical drugs or as food biopreservatives. The present study describes the
design and expression of a novel recombinant hybrid peptide combining enterocin CRL35 and
microcin V named Ent35–MccV. The chimerical bacteriocin displayed antimicrobial activity against
enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes clinical isolates, among other pathogenic
bacteria. Therefore, Ent35–MccV may find important applications in food or pharmaceutical
industries.