Genetic polymorphisms in milk protein genes and their impact on milk composition.

About 40 different genetic variants are present at bovine milk protein loci and considerable differences in allele frequencies were observed among breeds. Advanced electrophoretic methods and recently, the DNA technology have been applied for identification and characterisation of milk protein genetic variants. Mutations with impact on gene expression have been identified. The influence of lactoprotein genetic variants on milk composition and cheese making ability has been studied extensively. The most prominent effects have been found for beta-LG A/B and kappa-CN A/B in cattle and alpha s1-CN E in goat.