Genetic variability of the equine casein genes.
Abstract: The casein genes are known to be highly variable in typical dairy species, such as cattle and goat, but the knowledge about equine casein genes is limited. Nevertheless, mare milk production and consumption is gaining importance because of its high nutritive value, use in naturopathy, and hypoallergenic properties with respect to cow milk protein allergies. In the current study, the open reading frames of the 4 casein genes CSN1S1 (αS1-casein), CSN2 (β-casein), CSN1S2 (αS2-casein), and CSN3 (κ-casein) were resequenced in 253 horses of 14 breeds. The analysis revealed 21 nonsynonymous nucleotide exchanges, as well as 11 synonymous nucleotide exchanges, leading to a total of 31 putative protein isoforms predicted at the DNA level, 26 of which considered novel. Although the majority of the alleles need to be confirmed at the transcript and protein level, a preliminary nomenclature was established for the equine casein alleles.
Copyright © 2016 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2016-04-20 PubMed ID: 27108172DOI: 10.3168/jds.2015-10652Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study investigated the genetic variability of casein genes in horses, revealing 21 nonsynonymous and 11 synonymous nucleotide exchanges, which can potentially lead to 31 protein isoforms at the DNA level. This research was motivated by the growing interest in mare milk, due to its nutritional value and hypoallergenic properties in comparison to cow milk.
Context and Purpose of the Study
- The central proposition of this study lies in understanding the genetic variability of equine casein genes. While the variability of these genes is well explored in typical dairy species like cattle and goat, the knowledge regarding horse casein genes is limited.
- The interest in this research is increased by the rising consumption and production of mare milk owing to its high nutritive value and hypoallergenic properties, making it a suitable alternative over cow milk for those suffering from cow milk protein allergies. Hence, understanding the genetic nuances of equine casein genes becomes significant.
Methods and Approaches
- In this study, the researchers used a unique approach where they resequenced the open reading frames of the four casein genes – CSN1S1 (αS1-casein), CSN2 (β-casein), CSN1S2 (αS2-casein), and CSN3 (κ-casein) in 253 horses belonging to 14 different breeds.
Key Findings
- The research unveiled 21 nonsynonymous nucleotide exchanges and 11 synonymous nucleotide exchanges. These alterations are noteworthy as they potentially lead to creating a total of 31 putative protein isoforms predicted at the DNA level.
- Among these, 26 forms were considered novel, indicating that they were previously unidentified or unclassified in the context of equine casein genes.
- However, it’s crucial to note that most of these allelic forms need verification at the transcript and protein level to confirm their existence and functional implications.
Conclusion and Implications
- This study aids in expanding the existing database of knowledge regarding equine casein genes by discovering a number of novel allelic forms predicted at the DNA level.
- Though a preliminary nomenclature for the equine casein alleles was established as a part of this research, future work includes confirming these alleles at transcript and protein levels, which could further refine our understanding of the genetic variability in equine casein genes.
Cite This Article
APA
Brinkmann J, Jagannathan V, Drögemüller C, Rieder S, Leeb T, Thaller G, Tetens J.
(2016).
Genetic variability of the equine casein genes.
J Dairy Sci, 99(7), 5486-5497.
https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-10652 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, D-24098 Kiel, Germany.
- Institute of Genetics, University of Bern, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland; Swiss Competence Center of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Bern, Bern University of Applied Sciences HAFL and Agroscope, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland.
- Institute of Genetics, University of Bern, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland; Swiss Competence Center of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Bern, Bern University of Applied Sciences HAFL and Agroscope, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland.
- Swiss Competence Center of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Bern, Bern University of Applied Sciences HAFL and Agroscope, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland; Agroscope, Swiss National Stud Farm, CH-1580 Avenches, Switzerland.
- Institute of Genetics, University of Bern, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland; Swiss Competence Center of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Bern, Bern University of Applied Sciences HAFL and Agroscope, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland.
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, D-24098 Kiel, Germany.
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, D-24098 Kiel, Germany. Electronic address: jtetens@tierzucht.uni-kiel.de.
MeSH Terms
- Alleles
- Animals
- Breeding
- Caseins / analysis
- Caseins / genetics
- DNA
- Female
- Genetic Variation
- Horses / genetics
- Milk / chemistry
- Open Reading Frames / genetics
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Chen Y, Ma Y, Ji Q, Yang X, Feng X, Yao R, Cheng X, Li T, Wang Y, Wang Z. Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus Infection Decreases Milk Protein Synthesis by Preventing Amino Acid Uptake in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:756375.
- Faccia M, D'Alessandro AG, Summer A, Hailu Y. Milk Products from Minor Dairy Species: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jul 24;10(8).
- Miraglia N, Salimei E, Fantuz F. Equine Milk Production and Valorization of Marginal Areas-A Review. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 22;10(2).
- Cieslak J, Wodas L, Borowska A, Pawlak P, Czyzak-Runowska G, Wojtowski J, Puppel K, Kuczynska B, Mackowski M. 5'-flanking variants of equine casein genes (CSN1S1, CSN1S2, CSN2, CSN3) and their relationship with gene expression and milk composition. J Appl Genet 2019 Feb;60(1):71-78.
- Cosenza G, Fulgione A, D'Anza E, Albarella S, Ciotola F, Pauciullo A. CSN1S1 and CSN1S2: Two Remarkable Examples of Genetically Modulated Alternative Splicing via Identification of Allele-Specific Splicing Events. Genes (Basel) 2025 Aug 27;16(9).
- Cosenza G, Pauciullo A. A Comprehensive Analysis of CSN1S2 I and II Transcripts Reveals Significant Genetic Diversity and Allele-Specific Exon Skipping in Ragusana and Amiatina Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2024 Oct 10;14(20).
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