Protein expression vector and secretion signal peptide optimization to drive the production, secretion, and functional expression of the bacteriocin enterocin A in lactic acid bacteria

► Sec-dependent secretion of recombinant EntA by heterologous LAB hosts. ► Protein expression vector and secretion signal peptide optimization for production of EntA. ► Recombinant production and functional expression of EntA by heterologous LAB hosts. ► Heterologous secretion of EntA and higher production yields. ► Antimicrobial activity of the EntA produced by heterologous LAB hosts.