A SNP in the goat CSN2 promoter region is associated with the absence of beta-casein in the milk.

So far, at least eight alleles in the goat CSN2 locus have been associated with the level of b-casein expression in milk. Alleles CSN2A, CSN2A1, CSN2B, CSN2C, CSN2D and CSN2E have been associated with normal content (allele effects of about 5 g of b-casein per litre), whereas the CSN20 and CSN201 alleles have been associated with non-detectable levels of b-casein. Most of these alleles have been characterized genetically. Herein, we report the identification of a previously unreported SNP in the goat CSN2 promoter region (AJ011018:g.1311T>C), which is associated with the absence of b-casein in the milk. Furthermore, we developed a PCR-based method that allows detection of this mutation.