c © INRA, EDP Sciences, 2007 www.lelait-journal.org DOI: 10.1051/lait:2007034 Review Casein polymorphism in goat’s milk

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