Casein polymorphism in goat’s milk

In this review we summarize the current knowledge on the extensive goat casein polymorphism.Gene structure, and allelic and non-allelic protein variants, characterized by genomicand proteomic analysis, have been described. The effect of genetic casein polymorphism on technologicaland nutritional properties of goat’s milk has been briefly reported. Goat casein genes showa range of different post-translational modifications and complex patterns of splicing, leading to agreat heterogeneity of this fraction. In the light of some recent findings, a genomic and proteomiccombined approach appears to be the tool of choice in order to gain an exhaustive characterizationof these milk proteins.