DNA sequences of the tail fiber genes of Bacteriophage P2: evidence for horizontal transfer of tail fiber genes among unrelated bacteriophages

The genes coding for the two tail fiber proteins of the P2 bacteriophage were sequenced and compared with that of other virions. Some regions of the amino acid sequence of the tail proteins deduced from the genetic code of P2 exhibited remarkable similarity to that of other phages such as Mu, P1, Lambda, K3 and T2. This indicates an illegitimate recombination of genes among unrelated virions. Further, results indicate that phages take advantage of the available gene pool to modify their host ranges under stressful conditions.