Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the major capsid protein from Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris bacteriophage F4-1.

The gene (mcp) coding for the major capsid protein (MCP) of the Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris bacteriophage F4-1 has been cloned and its nucleotide sequence determined. The mcp gene was localized, by Western blotting with rabbit antiserum against intact bacteriophage, within a 3.3-kb HindIII-Spe I fragment and the sequence of the entire region determined. The 35-kDa MCP is coded for by a 905-bp open reading frame preceded by a putative ribosome-binding site. Deletion analysis and N-terminal sequencing of the MCP confirmed the identification of the gene coding for this bacteriophage MCP.