The comparative biology of whey proteins

Abstract

Lactational strategies and associated development of the young have been studied in a diverse range of species, and comparative analysis allows common trends and differences to be revealed. The whey fraction contains a vast number of proteins, many of which have not been assigned a function. However, it is expected that an understanding of the comparative biology of these proteins may provide some promise in assigning a function to the major whey proteins. Whey acidic protein is a major component of the whey fraction that has been studied across a range of species, revealing conservation of gene structure, whereas regulation and temporal expression patterns vary. This review focuses primaril..