Casein Gene Cluster in Camelids: Comparative Genome Analysis and New Findings on Haplotype Variability and Physical Mapping.

The structure of casein genes has been fully understood in llamas, whereas in other camelids, this information is still incomplete. In fact, structure and polymorphisms have been identified in three (, αs1-CN; , β-CN; , κ-CN) out of four casein genes, whereas controversial information is available for the (αs2-CN) in terms of structure and genetic diversity. Data from the genome analysis, whose assembly is available for feral camel, Bactrian, dromedary, and alpaca, can contribute to a better knowledge.