Associations between two novel rSNPs in 5′-flanking region of the bovine casein gene cluster and milk performance traits

Ten evolutionary conservative sequences with high identity level to homological sequences in other mammal species were revealed in 5′-flanking region of casein's genes cluster. Five novel SNPs located inside of the evolutionary conservative regions were identified. The binding sites were revealed to be present in one allelic variant of four detected SNPs. So these SNPs were considered as rSNPs. Significant differences of allelic frequencies were revealed between beef cow's group and dairy cow's group in two rSNPs (NCE4, NCE7, p < 0.001). Different alleles of those two rSNPs were shown to be associated with some milk performance traits in Black-and-White Holstein dairy cows. Significant difference of protein percentage has been found between cows with G/G and A/A genotypes (P < 0.05) and A/G and A/A genotypes (P < 0.05) for NCE4 polymorphism. The groups of animals with genotypes G/G and A/G for NCE7 polymorphism were significantly different in milk yield at the first lactation (kg) (P < 0.01), milk fat yield (kg) (P < 0.05) and milk protein yield (kg) (P < 0.01). For the last trait the difference was significant also between cows with genotypes G/G and A/A for rSNP NCE7 (P < 0.05).

► Conservative elements in human and cattle casein gene cluster were found. ► SNPs were revealed in bovine 5′-flanking region of casein cluster genes. ► Revealed SNPs were located within transcription factor binding site. ► Revealed rSNPs are associated with milk performance traits.