Abstract

The techniques involved in searching for bovine milk protein variants by the direct sequencing of genes are discussed. Examples are drawn from our studies of two major milk protein genes, b-lactoglobulin and aS1-casein. In the former case it was possible to subdivide the A and B variants even further according to point mutations found in the promoter region of the gene, while in the latter case, a New Zealand aS1 casein type A variant in Friesians was shown to arise from a point deletion in the gene which differs significantly from a mutation reported to give rise to the same type A variants in the German Red breed. The potential of this analytical approach for analysing milk protein genes is discussed.

RJ, Wilkins, and HW Davey

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 56, , 45-46, 1996