Using a proteomic approach, 2D-IEF SDS PAGE and ESI MS/MS we compared milk MFGM belonging to Chianina and Holstein cattle breeds, representative of selection for meat and milk traits, respectively.
The two breeds showed different trends in the amount of structural proteins and proteins related to lipid droplet formation, as well as in immunity-related molecules, MFG secretion, mammary gland epithelium apoptosis and mammary gland involution.
We successfully isolated the major MFGM proteins and monitored their differences between the two breeds, among three different lactation phases and within the same breed across the lactation phases. The detected differences were relative to the amount of proteins involved in lipid deposition into the droplets, immune system and mammary gland cell apoptosis.