First DNA Sequencing in Beninese Indigenous Cattle Breeds Captures New Milk Protein Variants

This study investigated polymorphisms in the milk protein genes CSN1S1, CSN2, CSN1S2, CSN3, LALBA, and LGB, and casein haplotypes in Beninese indigenous cattle. Considering 67 animals, DNA sequencing of the genes' exons, flanking regions and parts of the 5'-upstream regions identified 1058 genetic variants including 731 previously unknown. In addition, four novel milk protein variants were detected, including CSN3 (p.Ala66Val), LALBA (p.Arg58Trp), LGB (p.Ala134Val) and LGB (p.Thr92Asnfs*13). CSN3 is caused by a novel SNP (BTA6:85656526C>T, exon 4) whereas LALBA and LGB are due to rs714688595C>T (exon 1) and rs109625649C>T (exon 4), respectively. Regarding LGB, a frameshift insertion of one adenine residue at BTA11:103257980 (exon 3) induces a premature translation termination resulting in a 46% reduction of the reference protein sequence. The casein polymorphisms formed five main CSN1S1-CSN2-CSN1S2-CSN3 haplotypes including B-A1-A-B, B-A1-A-A and C-A2-A-B which are predominant in the investigated cattle breeds. Moreover, in silico analyses of polymorphisms within the 5'- and 3'- untranslated regions of all six milk proteins revealed effects on microRNA and transcription factor binding sites. This study suggests a large genetic variation of milk protein genes in Beninese cattle, which should be investigated in further studies for their effects on milk production, including quality and yield traits.