Effects of methionine-containing dipeptides onα<sub>s1</sub> casein expression in bovine mammary epithelialcells

Abstract

Effects of methionine-containing dipetides on s1 casein gene expression were investigated in cultured bovine mammary epithelial cells. s1Casein gene expression was higher in the culture added with methionylmethionine than in that with methionine. Addition of methionyllysine enhanced s1 casein gene expression, compared with methionine plus lysine. These results indicated that mammary epithelial cells can utilize methionine-containing dipeptides for milk protein synthesis with a higher effi ciency than the respective amino acid.