Milk lipid and milk fat globule membrane production

Abstract

The formation of the mammary secretion, proteins, lipids and ions is of fundamental importance to the dairy industry. The cellular interactions which allow secretion of protein and especially milk fat globules are still controversial. However, electron microscopy provides a basis for a straightforward scheme of secretion presented as a diagram. Each step in the process can then be defined, the published evidence for each assessed and areas which need further work clearly recognised. We also hope that the diagram will act as a way of combining global approaches such as proteomics or protein knockouts with the detail of electron microscopy.