Review
Genetics & Heredity
Siham A. Rahmatalla, Danny Arends, Gudrun A. Brockmann
Summary: This article provides an overview of the diversity of milk casein protein variants and non-coding DNA sequence variations that affect gene expression in goats. The enormous variation in casein proteins is crucial for producing milk and dairy products with different properties for human health and nutrition. Additionally, haplotypes of the genetically linked casein gene cluster can serve as valuable tools for breed discrimination, managing genetic diversity, and breeding strategies.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sanam Foroutanparsa, Mariska Bruls, C. Elizabeth P. Maljaars, Roderick P. Tas, Ilja K. Voets
Summary: The acid-induced destabilization of casein micelles leads to milk coagulation, which is important for yogurt formation. The resulting protein network is formed by the aggregation and reconfiguration of casein micelles, with the release of a portion of caseins. The organization and distribution of individual alpha s1- and beta-caseins within this complex network and their dependence on yogurt composition and processing are still unknown.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
J. C. Amaro-Hernandez, G. I. Olivas, C. H. Acosta-Muniz, N. Gutierrez-Mendez, C. Rios-Velasco, D. R. Sepulveda
Summary: Rennet milk curds were prepared under different temperature and acidity conditions, and the formation of various types of inter-protein chemical bonds was monitored. The results showed that hydrophobic interactions were replaced by electrostatic, hydrogen, and calcium bonds, while disulfide bonds remained constant. Acidification increased the availability of soluble calcium ions, leading to an increase in calcium bridges and a decrease in electrostatic-hydrogen bonds. pH determined the nature of protein interactions, while temperature modified the rate at which these bonds formed.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Francesca Bennato, Andrea Ianni, Marco Florio, Lisa Grotta, Francesco Pomilio, Maria Antonietta Saletti, Giuseppe Martino
Summary: The present study evaluated the effects of grape pomace on milk yield, chemical-nutritional characteristics, antioxidant activity, fatty acids, and protein profile of dairy ewe's milk. The results showed that adding 10% grape pomace did not affect milk yield and composition, but significantly changed the fatty acid composition.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Morgan B. Pyles, Kristin Brock, Rachel R. Schendel, Laurie M. Lawrence
Summary: Accurately determining the macronutrient profile of mare milk is essential for studying foals' growth and development. This study optimized an extraction method for mare milk oligosaccharides and compared the use of FTIR spectroscopy to wet chemistry methods for analyzing protein, fat, and lactose. The optimized method achieved good recovery rates for milk oligosaccharides, while FTIR analysis showed equivalent protein contents to wet chemistry methods and underestimated fat content. FTIR also overestimated lactose content by including milk oligosaccharides.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Askar Kondybayev, Gerard Loiseau, Nawel Achir, Christian Mestres, Gaukhar Konuspayeva
Summary: Mare milk and qymyz have been consumed for thousands of years in Central Asia, playing a central role in the traditional cuisine and cultural identity of the people in the region. These products are reported to have a wide range of therapeutic effects.
INTERNATIONAL DAIRY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Nan Li, Qixin Zhong
Summary: The rehydration properties of spray-dried milk protein isolates (MPIs) were improved by incorporating soluble caseins in the form of derivatized MPI (dMPI), resulting in accelerated dissolution and disruption of particles during rehydration. The improvement was not due to wettability, but rather to reduced cross-linking of casein micelles and increased surface porosity. This study may provide insights for industrial applications of spray-dried MPIs.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Henrietta Buzas, Rita Szekelyhid, Gabor Szafner, Katalin Szabo, Judit Sule, Solveig Bukovics, Attila Jozsef Kovacs
Summary: The aim of this study was to develop a reliable and rapid RP-HPLC method to simultaneously determine the main bovine milk protein fractions, including their genetic variants. Compared to previous studies, our method is able to separate the main protein fractions within a total run time of 20 minutes. The method was validated for repeatability, reproducibility, linearity, and accuracy. It can be applied to both raw and heat-treated milk samples.
ANALYTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Isabelle Carolina Oliveira, Iuri Emmanuel de Paula Ferreira, Federico Casanova, Angelo Luiz Fazani Cavallieri, Luis Gustavo Lima Nascimento, Antonio Fernandes de Carvalho, Naaman Francisco Nogueira Silva
Summary: The present study focuses on the colloidal and acid gelling properties of mixed suspensions of pea and milk proteins. Results show that mixed suspensions have higher pH, viscosity, and percentage of sedimentable material compared to milk samples. Heat and ethanol stabilities are reduced with an increase in total protein concentration. The presence of pea proteins accelerates acid gel formation but weakens the final structure of the gels.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Florencia Munoz-Salinas, Hector Mario Andrade-Montemayor, Karina De la Torre-Carbot, Miguel Angel Duarte-Vazquez, Juan Carlos Silva-Jarquin
Summary: Goat's milk has advantages over cow's milk in terms of protein composition and digestibility, making it particularly suitable for infant nutrition. The alpha-casein and beta-casein types in goat's milk differ from those in cow's milk, which have important implications for allergies and infant nutrition.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gabriela Fernanda Rocha, Juliana Cotabarren, Walter David Obregon, Graciela Fernandez, Adriana Mabel Rosso, Monica Graciela Parisi
Summary: This study explores the potential application of an aspartic protease from Salpichroa origanifolia fruits in cheese production. The protease showed high milk-clotting and hydrolytic activities, making it a potential substitute for animal rennet. Mass spectrometry and peptide sequencing confirmed its potential in generating bioactive peptides during cheese production, with potential health-promoting benefits.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Caterina Villa, Monica B. M. Moura, Joana Costa, Isabel Mafra
Summary: Two methods based on indirect ELISA were developed for quantification of MPC in meat products, using beta-lactoglobulin and caseins as markers. The results showed that caseins were more resistant to autoclaving than beta-lactoglobulin. An in-house ELISA using a commercial anti-casein antibody was proposed as a highly specific and sensitive method, which is cheaper than available ELISA kits.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Liang Deng, Yixin Yang, Zheng Li, Jing Li, Yiping Zhu, Qingze Meng, Jingze Liu, Xuefan Wang
Summary: This study compared the lipid profiles of mare's milk under different feeding regimens using lipidomics, and found that mares fed with pasture grass had higher levels of specific lipids, which are associated with fatty acid and lipid digestion and absorption pathways.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Gianfranco Cosenza, Sara Albarella, Emanuele D'Anza, Alessandra Iannuzzi, Maria Selvaggi, Mariagiulia Pugliano, Tiziana Galli, Giorgio Saralli, Francesca Ciotola, Vincenzo Peretti
Summary: This study presents a new PCR-based genotyping protocol for detecting the CSN2(01) allele in goats and characterizes the genetic makeup of the CSN1S1, CSN2, and CSN1S2 loci in three endangered goat breeds in Italy. The observed genotypes at the CSN1S1 locus are associated with different milk traits, such as fat and protein content. The study highlights the importance of identifying new alleles and mutations in calcium-sensitive casein loci for association studies and understanding milk quality.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Xuefeng Wang, Qiong Zhao, Li He, Yanan Shi, Jiangping Fan, Yue Chen, Aixiang Huang
Summary: A cysteine peptidase from germinated Moringa oleifera seeds showed preferential activity on kappa-casein and may be a promising plant-derived rennet alternative for cheese manufacture.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Rodrigo Gutierrez-Quintana, Matthias Christen, Kiterie M. E. Faller, Julien Guevar, Vidhya Jagannathan, Tosso Leeb
Summary: This study reports a case of congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP) in a family of mixed breed dogs and identifies a likely pathogenic variant in the SCN9A gene. Both dogs from the litter showed the absence of superficial and deep pain perception in the entire body. Histopathological evaluations were normal. This is the first report of a spontaneous pathogenic SCN9A variant in domestic animals.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Dorothea Lindtke, Franz R. Seefried, Cord Drogemuller, Markus Neuditschko
Summary: In about 90% of multiple pregnancies in cattle, shared blood circulation between fetuses leads to genetic chimerism in peripheral blood, resulting in reduced reproductive performance. Low-pass sequencing data allows reliable screening for blood chimeras, but blood is not recommended for detecting germline variants. Our study identified 20 putative blood chimeras based on increased genome-wide heterozygosity, while routine SNP microarray data showed no evidence of chimerism and high levels of genotype discordance with sequencing data.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Joana G. P. Jacinto, Eliana Schiavon, Irene M. Hafliger, Patrizio Coin, Franz R. Seefried, Cord Drogemuller
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Matthias Christen, Veronica Gonzalo-Nadal, Adriana Kaczmarska, Magdalena Dyrka, Julien Guevar, Vidhya Jagannathan, Tosso Leeb, Rodrigo Gutierrez-Quintana
Summary: A 9-month-old intact male domestic shorthair cat with increasing frequency of generalized tonic-clonic seizures was evaluated. MRI revealed multifocal, small, rounded intra-axial lesions in the subcortical white matter containing fluid similar to cerebrospinal fluid. Whole genome sequencing identified a pathogenic variant in the L2HGDH gene, and increased excretion of 2-hydroxyglutaric acid was detected in urine organic acids. Despite treatment with levetiracetam, the cat died after a seizure 10 days later. This report contributes to the understanding of L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria in cats.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Kiener, Barbara G. McMahill, Verena K. Affolter, Monika Welle, Julie A. Yager, Vidhya Jagannathan, Tosso Leeb
Summary: This study investigated two 4-month-old sibling domestic short haired kittens with various skin abnormalities. Whole genome sequencing revealed a homozygous missense variant in the SOAT1 gene, which has been associated with hair and sebaceous gland defects in mice. This finding suggests that SOAT1 variants may also contribute to hereditary sebaceous gland dysplasias in humans and domestic animals.
MOLECULAR GENETICS AND GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Matthias Christen, Rodrigo Gutierrez-Quintana, Matthew Green, Kiterie M. E. Faller, Mark Lowrie, Clare Rusbridge, Kenny Bossens, Cathryn Mellersh, Louise Pettitt, Tiina Heinonen, Hannes Lohi, Vidhya Jagannathan, Tosso Leeb
Summary: This study identified a genetic variant in Weimaraner dogs that causes a paroxysmal dystonia-ataxia syndrome, suggesting its potential relevance for diagnosing humans with similar movement disorders.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kevin Batcher, Scarlett Varney, Terje Raudsepp, Matthew Jevit, Peter Dickinson, Vidhya Jagannathan, Tosso Leeb, Danika Bannasch
Summary: LINE-1 is an active transposable element that inserts host gene retrocopies, resulting in retrocopy number variants (retroCNVs). We discovered 437 retrocopy insertions in 86 equids, with only 5 retroCNVs shared between horses and other equids. A large number of segmentally duplicated LCORL retrocopies were found in all equids but absent in other perissodactyls, and the majority of LCORL transcripts in horses and donkeys originated from these retrocopies. The initial LCORL retrotransposition occurred 18 million years ago, coinciding with equid evolution characterized by body size increase, digit number reduction, and dentition changes. Evolutionary conservation, high expression levels, and ancient timeline support a functional role for the LCORL retrocopy.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Marios Charalambous, Andrea Fischer, Heidrun Potschka, Matthew C. Walker, Robrecht Raedt, Kristl Vonck, Paul Boon, Hannes Lohi, Wolfgang Loescher, Gregory Worrell, Tosso Leeb, Andrew McEvoy, Pasquale Striano, Gerhard Kluger, Aristea S. Galanopoulou, Holger A. Volk, Sofie F. M. Bhatti
Summary: Epilepsy is a complex disorder with a genetic basis, and research using animal models, including dogs, has improved our understanding of its pathophysiology and treatment. Drug-resistant epilepsy is a significant issue in both humans and dogs, highlighting the need for evaluation and exploration of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic options. Collaboration between human and veterinary neurologists is important for improving treatment outcomes and potentially translating knowledge between species. This article discusses the similarities and knowledge gaps in epileptology, aiming to establish a framework for future translational research.
VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Joana G. P. Jacinto, Marilena Bolcato, Irene M. Haefliger, Anna Oevermann, Arcangelo Gentile, Cord Droegemueller
Summary: A 6-month-old Holstein heifer was diagnosed with epilepsy characterized by focal seizures progressing to generalized seizures. The seizure episodes included pre-ictal depression and vocalization, followed by ictal phase with eyelid spasms, tongue contractions, nodding, and abundant salivation, and then convulsive phase with bilateral tonic, clonic or tonic-clonic activity and loss of consciousness. Neuropathology revealed axonal degeneration and astrocytic hypertrophic gliosis in the brainstem. Whole genome sequencing identified a heterozygous splice-site variant in DYRK1B, suggesting its association with epilepsy in cattle.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Gabriela Rudd Garces, Anna Letko, Irene M. Haefliger, Jana Mueller, Christiane Herden, Anne Nesseler, Henrik Wagner, Martin J. Schmidt, Cord Droegemueller, Gesine Luehken
Summary: This study reported a rare early-onset neurodegenerative disorder characterized by microcephaly in purebred Kerry Hill sheep. A genetic variant in the MFSD2A gene, responsible for maintaining blood-brain barrier homeostasis and regulating brain lipogenesis, was identified as the cause. This is the first report of a spontaneous MFSD2A variant in domestic animals.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Rebecca Simon, Sarah Kiener, Nina Thom, Laura Schaefer, Janina Mueller, Elfi K. Schlohsarczyk, Ulrich Gaertner, Christiane Herden, Tosso Leeb, Gesine Luehken
Summary: We studied 4 European domestic shorthair kittens with skin lesions consistent with dermatosparaxis type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder. The kittens shared the same father but had 3 different mothers. The kittens had easily torn skin resulting in nonhealing skin wounds. The genome of one affected kitten was sequenced and a frameshift mutation in the ADAMTS2 gene was identified, which is most likely the causative variant for the observed syndrome.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jennifer R. S. Meadows, Jeffrey M. Kidd, Guo-Dong Wang, Heidi G. Parker, Peter Z. Schall, Matteo Bianchi, Matthew J. Christmas, Katia Bougiouri, Reuben M. Buckley, Christophe Hitte, Anthony K. Nguyen, Chao Wang, Vidhya Jagannathan, Julia E. Niskanen, Laurent A. F. Frantz, Meharji Arumilli, Sruthi Hundi, Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, Catarina Ginja, Kadek Karang Agustina, Catherine Andre, Adam R. Boyko, Brian W. Davis, Michaela Droegemueller, Xin-Yao Feng, Konstantinos Gkagkavouzis, Giorgos Iliopoulos, Alexander C. Harris, Marjo K. Hytonen, Daniela C. Kalthoff, Yan-Hu Liu, Petros Lymberakis, Nikolaos Poulakakis, Ana Elisabete Pires, Fernando Racimo, Fabian Ramos-Almodovar, Peter Savolainen, Semina Venetsani, Imke Tammen, Alexandros Triantafyllidis, Bridgett vonHoldt, Robert K. Wayne, Greger Larson, Frank W. Nicholas, Hannes Lohi, Tosso Leeb, Ya-Ping Zhang, Elaine A. Ostrander
Summary: The international Dog10K project aims to sequence and analyze thousands of canine genomes, and has discovered a high percentage of genomic variation across 239 sampled breeds. The project has also identified retrogene insertions from 926 parent genes. These findings are crucial for studying domestication, behavior, morphology, disease susceptibility, and genome architecture and function.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Faye Rawson, Matthias Christen, Jeremy Rose, Emilie Paran, Tosso Leeb, Angela Fadda
Summary: We clinically and genetically characterized a presumed hereditary and progressive polioencephalopathy in a family of Eurasier dogs. Further research is needed to establish the role of the MECR gene in dogs and the pathogenic effects of the detected variants.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
K. Tan, O. O. Adeniyi, A. Letko, G. RuddGarces, E. Manz, H. Wagner, P. Zanolari, C. Drogemuller, G. Luhken
Summary: The aim of this study was to map genomic regions associated with the different fleece types of alpacas. Using SNP arrays, the researchers identified genome-wide significantly associated markers in the scaffold region of chromosome 16, which contains a cluster of keratin genes. This is the first study to use a species-specific SNP array to identify genomic regions associated with fleece type differences in alpacas.
Correction
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jennifer R. S. Meadows, Jefrey M. Kidd, Guo-Dong Wang, Heidi G. Parker, Peter Z. Schall, Matteo Bianchi, Matthew J. Christmas, Katia Bougiouri, Reuben M. Buckley, Christophe Hitte, Anthony K. Nguyen, Chao Wang, Vidhya Jagannathan, Julia E. Niskanen, Laurent A. F. Frantz, Meharji Arumilli, Sruthi Hundi, Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, Catarina Ginja, Kadek Karang Agustina, Catherine Andre, Adam R. Boyko, Brian W. Davis, Michaela Drogemueller, Xin-Yao Feng, Konstantinos Gkagkavouzis, Giorgos Iliopoulos, Alexander C. Harris, Marjo K. Hytonen, Daniela C. Kalthof, Yan-Hu Liu, Petros Lymberakis, Nikolaos Poulakakis, Ana Elisabete Pires, Fernando Racimo, Fabian Ramos-Almodovar, Peter Savolainen, Semina Venetsani, Imke Tammen, Alexandros Triantafyllidis, Bridgett Vonholdt, Robert K. Wayne, Greger Larson, Frank W. Nicholas, Hannes Lohi, Tosso Leeb, Ya-Ping Zhang, Elaine A. Ostrander