title: Transduction of Lactose Metabolism by Streptococcus cremoris C3 Temperate Phage.
abstract: Temperate phage was induced from Streptococcus cremoris C3 and morphologically characterized by high-resolution electron micrographic techniques. Interspecies genetic transfer of lactose-fermenting ability by the temperate phage was demonstrated, using two lactose-negative (Lac) S. lactis strains as recipients. Plasmid transfer was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Transductant plasmid profiles were of three types-those containing no visible plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid, those possessing a 23-megadalton (Mdal) plasmid, and those containing a 23-Mdal plasmid and a 30-Mdal plasmid. A Lac transductant could serve as a donor of the lac determinants during solid-surface matings. These results add to previously published reports of inter- and intraspecies genetic transfer in dairy starter cultures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Snook
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Ahlstrand