Milk fat content in mammals is determined by numerous genes and environmental factors. The enzyme diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) catalyzes the last step of triglyceride synthesis. By cloning, mapping and sequencing of the DGAT1 gene in cattle, an amino acid substitution (Lys232Ala) was discovered that is associated with the breeding value for milk fat content. Therefore, DGAT1, and this variation, potentially represent a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for milk composition known to occur in this chromosomal region. This finding enables a genetic test to facilitate the selection of breeding animals. Within the chromosomal region of DGAT1, an additional 24 genes were mapped and screened for polymorphisms. In addition to DGAT1, three members of the DGAT2 gene family were investigated in cattle and swine.
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Milk fat content in mammals is determined by numerous genes and environmental factors. The enzyme diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) catalyzes the last step of triglyceride synthesis. By cloning, mapping and sequencing of the DGAT1 gene in cattle, an amino acid substitution (Lys232Ala) was discovered that is associated with the breeding value for milk fat content. Therefore, DGAT1, and this variation, potentially represent a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for milk composition known to occu...
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