Milk protein genes: A molecular approach
1995
Dovc, P. (Ljubljana Univ. (Slovenia). Biotechnical Fac., Zootechnical Dept.) | Medrano, J.F. (California Davis Univ., Davis (USA))
Modern trends in selection of dairy cattle are geared towards higher solids content and better technological properties of milk because of the increasing proportion of milk being used for manufacturing. Protein content in milk is a quantitative trait with a very complex genetic mechanisms involved in its regulation. Cluster of four casein genes and genes for two major whey proteins (alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin) represent genomic coding regions for the major bovine lactoproteins. All are present as allelic variants, which have a qualitative but also quantitative effect on the protein content of milk. Polymorphisms between allelic variants are present within coding regions and also within regulatory regions of milk protein genes, having a regulatory effect on gene expression at the transcriptional and post transcriptional level. Differential allelic production has been demonstrated for kappa-casein and beta-lactoglobulin genes. Study of different promoter regions from milk protein genes offers information about the molecular mechanisms regulating milk protein synthesis. The search for the major loci involved in the regulation of milk production revealed some regions within the genome related with the milk yield. This molecular data can be used for marker assisted selection and biotechnological modifications of milk components.
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