The lytic lactococcal phage Q54 was previously isolated from a failed sour cream production. Its complete genomic sequence (26,537 bp) is reported here, and the analysis indicated that it represents a new Lactococcus lactis phage species. A striking feature of phage Q54 is the low level of similarity of its proteome (47 open reading frames) with proteins in databases. A global gene expression study confirmed the presence of two early gene modules in Q54. The unusual configuration of these modules, combined with results of comparative analysis with other lactococcal phage genomes, suggests that one of these modules was acquired through recombination events between c2-and 936-like phages. Proteolytic cleavage and cross-linking of the major capsid protein were demonstrated through structural protein analyses. A programmed translational frameshift between the major tail protein (MTP) and the receptor-binding protein (RBP) was also discovered. A "shifty stop" signal followed by putative secondary structures is likely involved in frameshifting. To our knowledge, this is only the second report of translational frameshifting (؉1) in double-stranded DNA bacteriophages and the first case of translational coupling between an MTP and an RBP. Thus, phage Q54 represents a fascinating member of a new species with unusual characteristics that brings new insights into lactococcal phage evolution.Lactococcus lactis is a low-GϩC gram-positive bacterium extensively used by the dairy industry for its ability to convert sugars into lactic acid, leading to various fermented milk products. However, L. lactis strains are susceptible to attacks by lytic bacteriophages with concomitant low-quality products and economic losses (56). Different strategies have been developed over the past 70 years with the aim of better controlling the indigenous phage population within the dairy environment (54, 71). Nevertheless, the phage population is constantly evolving and new phage isolates are still frequently isolated. Some of these phages are emerging due to current manufacturing practices (49).Classification of the phages is still controversial, and different propositions have been made in recent years (10,65,74). Previous classification studies relied on the comparison of virus morphology and DNA-DNA hybridizations using whole genomes. According to these criteria, 12 lactococcal phage species representing distinct phage groups were proposed (37, 38). This classification of lactococcal phages was recently revisited, and 10 genetically diverse groups of phages, sharing very limited nucleotide similarities, were proposed (26). Among these, two new species were identified, one of which was the type phage Q54.Phage genomics has considerably expanded in the last 5 years, and as of June 2006, 362 complete genomes are available at GenBank. Of those, 14 are from lactococcal phages. Among the available genomes, only members of the three main groups of L. lactis phages are represented, namely, the 936, c2, and P335 species. Ten of the genomes are from phage...