| abstract |
The invention relates to a DNA sequence encoding the beta-casein of the human milk protein, or one of its variants or one of its analogs, having either the calcium-binding activity of human beta-casein, or an opioid activity, or an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibiting activity, or a combination of two or three of said activities. The DNA sequence may optionally contain one or more intron sequences, as well as permissive RNA splicing signals. The DNA sequence is used in the production of recombinant human beta-casein, preferably through production using non-human transgenic mammals, such as bovine species. In one embodiment of the invention, the DNA sequence is introduced into a mammalian milk protein gene, such as a whey acid protein (WAP) gene. Recombinant human beta-casein is primarily used as a component of infant food preparations. Recombinant human beta-casein improves the nutritional and biological value of these food preparations, thanks to characteristics extremely similar to those of human milk. |