Expression of linear permutated variants from circular enterocin AS-48

► Two permuted linear genes were constructed by circular permutation of the as-48A structural gene. ► None of the leaderless linear proteins could be detected in E. coli BL21 (DE3) extracts. ► Protein fusions to an appropriate partner favour the intracellular accumulations as inclusion bodies. ► Cleavage of the fusion proteins yields hybrids proteins with antimicrobial activity. ► The AS48/49-fusion protein was detected in a much lower amount compared with AS23/24.