Study of gene expression for milk proteins genes in Saudi camel breeds.

Camel milk is one of the main components of the human diet in Saudi Arabia and most of the Middle East countries. Unfortunately, Camel did not receive enough attention as a breeding animal. The present study is an attempt to explore the existence of genetic variation in milk proteins genes of Saudi camel. Camels from Taif governorate were sampled as representative of camel population in KSA. Gene expression of some related genes of milk protein (casein) were examined, namely, exon3-exon1 mRNA and exon6-exon7. The densitometric analysis of gene expression varied greatly among all individuals. The results showed great linkage of the expression of all studied genes, such that individual with high expression in one gene are also high in the other genes. To our knowledge the present work is the first record in the gene expression of some camel milk casein. As with available resources in our hands no previous work was done with the local habitat Saudi she-camel. We examined gene expression of CD-CSN1S1 mRNA and some selected exons in the gene control alpha casein protein in the Saudi camel milk to explore presence or absence of individual variation in gene expression of selected genes. Based on these results we could conclude that, though high level of inbreeding within Saudi camels, still these populations possess the needed level of genetic variation required for genetic improvement program in this population.