DNA sequence of the porcine α‐lactalbumin 5' flanking region and single‐base polymorphisms within this region

The 5′ flanking region of the α‐lactalbumin (α‐LA) gene was sequenced for the Duroc, Yorkshire and Meishan breeds of swine to identify potential sequence variants within this regulatory region of the porcine α‐LA gene. The sequenced region of the gene encompasses 391 bp 5′ of the translation start site to 11 bp 3′ of the translation start site. Within this sequence of the porcine α‐LA gene two single‐base pair differences were detected. One variant occurs at position – 178 and the other at position – 235 from the translation start site. Each of the variations can be detected by a restriction fragment length polymorphism within a polymerase chain reaction amplified product. The polymorphisms at the – 178 and – 235 positions appear to be genetically linked in the animals that have been analysed.