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PloS one2020; 15(4); e0232066; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232066

Genes encoding equine β-lactoglobulin (LGB1 and LGB2): Polymorphism, expression, and impact on milk composition.

Abstract: β-lactoglobulin is one of the most abundant milk whey proteins in many mammal species, including the domestic horse. The aim of this study was to screen for polymorphism in the equine LGB1 and LGB2 gene sequences (all exons, introns, and 5'-flanking region) and to assess potential relationship of particular genotypes with gene expression levels (measured in milk somatic cells) and milk composition traits (protein, fat, lactose, and total β-lactoglobulin content). Direct DNA sequencing analysis was performed for twelve horse breeds: Polish Primitive Horse (PPH), Polish Coldblood Horse (PCH), Polish Warmblood Horse (PWH), Silesian, Hucul, Fjording, Haflinger, Shetland Pony, Welsh Pony, Arabian, Thoroughbred, and Percheron-and revealed the presence of 83 polymorphic sites (47 and 36 for LGB1 and LGB2 genes, respectively), including eight that were previously unknown. Association analysis of the selected polymorphisms, gene expression, and milk composition traits (conducted for the PPH, PCH, and PWH breeds) showed several statistically significant relationships; for example, the two linked LGB1 SNPs (rs1143515669 and rs1144647991) were associated with total milk protein content (p < 0.01). Our study also confirmed that horse breed had significant impact on both gene transcript levels (p < 0.01) and on milk LGB content (p < 0.05), whereas an influence of lactation period was seen only for gene relative mRNA abundances (p < 0.01).
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Publication Date: 2020-04-22 PubMed ID: 32320437PubMed Central: PMC7176115DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232066Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research focuses on the relationship between polymorphisms present in the genes encoding equine β-lactoglobulin (a protein abundantly found in mammalian milk, including horse milk) and the gene expression levels and composition of milk across different horse breeds. The study revealed several new polymorphic sites and confirmed significant relationships between certain genetic factors, milk protein content, horse breed, and lactation period.

Overview of the Research Study

  • The researchers explored the polymorphism in the equine LGB1 and LGB2 gene sequences. These genes are responsible for producing β-lactoglobulin, a major milk whey protein in several mammal species, including horses.
  • The study aimed to identify any relationships between gene variations (genotypes), gene expression levels (how much of a protein the genes produce), and milk composition traits (protein, fat, lactose, and β-lactoglobulin content).
  • Milk samples and genetic material were collected and analyzed from twelve different horse breeds, and the DNA sequencing was used to identify genetic differences.

Key Findings of the Study

  • Researchers discovered 83 polymorphic sites (areas where variations in DNA sequence occur), 8 of which were previously unknown.
  • Statistically significant relationships were found between certain gene polymorphisms (specifically, the linked LGB1 SNPs rs1143515669 and rs1144647991) and total milk protein content.
  • The study also showed that the breed of the horse had a significant impact on the level of the gene protein product and the milk β-lactoglobulin content.
  • An influence of lactation period was seen for gene relative mRNA abundances, which means lactation period influences how much of certain genes are expressed.

Significance and Implications of the Study

  • The research gives researchers a better understanding of the relationship between gene sequences, their expression, and their effects on milk components in different breeds of horses.
  • Findings such as these potentially pave the path for future genetic selection programs, whereby specific genotypes associated with desired milk traits could be selected for in the breeding of dairy horses, similar to dairy cattle.

Cite This Article

APA
Wodas L, Mackowski M, Borowska A, Puppel K, Kuczynska B, Cieslak J. (2020). Genes encoding equine β-lactoglobulin (LGB1 and LGB2): Polymorphism, expression, and impact on milk composition. PLoS One, 15(4), e0232066. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232066

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 4
Pages: e0232066
PII: e0232066

Researcher Affiliations

Wodas, Lukasz
  • Department of Horse Breeding, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
Mackowski, Mariusz
  • Department of Horse Breeding, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
  • Horse Genetic Markers Laboratory, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
Borowska, Alicja
  • Department of Horse Breeding, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
Puppel, Kamila
  • Cattle Breeding Division, Department of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
Kuczynska, Beata
  • Cattle Breeding Division, Department of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
Cieslak, Jakub
  • Department of Horse Breeding, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Exons
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Horses / genetics
  • Introns
  • Lactation
  • Lactoglobulins / genetics
  • Milk / chemistry
  • Milk / physiology
  • Milk Proteins / genetics
  • Milk Proteins / metabolism
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Sawyer L. β-Lactoglobulin and Glycodelin: Two Sides of the Same Coin?. Front Physiol 2021;12:678080.
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  2. Shokrollahi B, Choi JY, Won M, Kim ET, Lee SE, Ham JS. Koumiss (Fermented Mare's Milk) as a Functional Food: Bioactive Proteins, Peptides, and Future Perspectives. Foods 2025 Nov 18;14(22).
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  3. Jawasreh KI, Al-Amareen AH. The implications of various gene variant combinations on breeding values for Awassi ewe milk production. Vet World 2023 Dec;16(12):2411-2415.
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  4. Boushaba N, Tabet-Aoul N. Allele and genotype frequencies of β-lactoglobulin gene using PCR-RFLP in Algerian local cattle populations. Mol Biol Res Commun 2024;13(1):43-49.
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