Short Communication: Characterization of a κ-Casein Genetic Variant in the Chinese Yak, Bos grunniens

• Published in: Journal of dairy science 2008-03, Vol.91 (3), p.1204-1208
• Main Authors: Bai, W.L., Yin, R.H., Zhao, S.J., Zheng, Y.C., Zhong, J.C., Zhao, Z.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; amino acid sequences; Animal productions; Animals; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Bos; Bos grunniens; breed differences; breeds; Caseins - chemistry; Caseins - genetics; Cattle - genetics; China; Datong (yak breed); DNA - chemistry; Female; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Frequency; genes; genetic polymorphism; genetic variation; Genetic Variation - genetics; Genotype; Jiulong (yak breed); kappa-casein; loci; Maiwa (yak breed); Milk and cheese industries. Ice creams; Molecular Sequence Data; nucleotide sequences; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism, Genetic; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational; Species Specificity; Terrestrial animal productions; Tianzhu White (yak breed); Vertebrates; yak; yaks; κ-casein
• ISSN: 0022-0302; 1525-3198
• DOI: 10.3168/jds.2007-0376

A PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism protocol has been developed for rapid genotyping of the yak κ-casein gene. A total of 307 yaks from the Tianzhu White, Jiulong, Maiwa, and Datong breeds in China were genotyped at the κ-casein locus using the protocol developed in the present study. A polymorphism of κ-casein gene exon 4 has been identified in Tianzhu White breed by evaluating genomic DNA. The polymorphic site consists of a single nucleotide substitution G→C at position 362 of the exon 4, resulting in an AA substitution from Arg to Pro at position 121 of the AA sequence and in 2 alleles named, respectively, G and C based on nucleotide 362. The occurrence of allele C in the Tianzhu White breed was high with an allele frequency of 0.15. However, allele C appears to be absent in the yaks from Jiulong, Maiwa, and Datong breeds.