Two groups of bacteriophages infecting Streptococcus thermophilus can be distinguished on the basis of mode of packaging and genetic determinants for major structural proteins

Abstract excerpt

A comparative study of 30 phages of Streptococcus thermophilus was performed based on DNA restriction profiles, DNA homology, structural proteins, packaging mechanisms, and host range data. All phages exhibited distinct DNA restriction profiles, with some phages displaying similarly sized restriction fragments. DNA homology was shown to be present among all 30 phages. The phages could be divided into two groups...