Bacteriocins are biologically active proteins or protein complexes that display a bactericidal mode of action towards closely related species [1]. Bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria are grouped into different classes. Class III of bacteriocins includes large heat liable proteins [2]. Lactobacillus helveticus 481 produces a 37-kDa bacteriocin called helveticin J which is a representative for Class III bacteriocins [3].

1: Bacteriocins from Lactobacillus plantarum - production, genetic organization and mode of action: producao, organizacao genetica e modo de acao. Todorov SD; Braz J Microbiol. 2009;40:209-221. PMID:24031346

2: Partial characterization of a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus helveticus. Bonade A, Murelli F, Vescovo M, Scolari G; Lett Appl Microbiol. 2001;33:153-158. PMID:11472525

3: Cloning, expression, and nucleotide sequence of the Lactobacillus helveticus 481 gene encoding the bacteriocin helveticin J. Joerger MC, Klaenhammer TR; J Bacteriol. 1990;172:6339-6347. PMID:2228964