10.1.2 Human alpha lactalbumin

. . Human alpha lactalbumin Alpha lactalbumin is a protein composed of amino acids and disulphide bridges, with a molecular weight of 14178 Da. In human milk, α lactalbumin is the most abundant protein comprising % of total protein found in human milk. It is synthesized by the mammary glands. α lactalbumin binds calcium and zinc ions and possesses bactericidal and anti tumour activities. Improvement of the nutritional value of cow’s milk with transgenic expression of recombinant human alpha lactalbumin has been attempted. Healthy transgenic cows were produced by somatic nuclear transfer, in which expression of upto .55g/L of recombinant human alpha lactalbumin was achieved. Similarly transgenic goats were also produced, in which the expression of Human alpha lactalbumin was about . to .9mg/mL. Somatic cell nuclear transfer is a technique for creating a viable embryo from a body cell and an egg cell. This technique is discussed later in animal cloning. In , Rosie, the first transgenic cow produced human protein enriched milk, which contained the human alpha lactalbumin. The protein rich milk ( . gm/litre) was a nutritionally balanced food for new born babies than the normal milk produced by the cows.