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Evolution of Pinnipedia lactation strategies: a potential role for α-lactalbumin?
Despite the considerable variation in milk composition found among mammals, a constituent common across all groups is lactose, the main sugar and osmole in most eutherians milk. Exceptions to this are the families Otariidae (fur seals and sea lions) and Odobenidae (walruses), where lactose has not been detected. We investigated the molecular basis for this by cloning α-lactalbumin, the modifier protein of the lactose synthase complex. A mutation was observed which, in addition to preventing lactose production, may enable otariids to maintain lactation despite the extremely long inter-suckling intervals during the mother's time at sea foraging (more than 23 days in some species).
History
Journal
Biology lettersVolume
3Issue
5Pagination
546 - 549Publisher
The Royal SocietyLocation
London, EnglandPublisher DOI
ISSN
1744-9561eISSN
1744-957XLanguage
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2007, The Royal SocietyUsage metrics
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