Association of SLIT3 and ZNF280B Gene Polymorphisms with Wool Fiber Diameter

Abstract

The SLIT3 gene encodes a secreted protein, and the ZNF280B gene is a member of the transcription factor family. Both genes have multiple biological functions. This study was conducted to investigate the association between SLIT3 and ZNF280B gene polymorphisms and wool fiber diameter and to determine potential molecular marker sites for breeding sheep with fine wool. We used Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR to type the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci in the SLIT3 and ZNF280B genes within 1081 Alpine Merino sheep and associated these SNPs with wool fiber diameter. The results revealed one SNP in SLIT3 and ZNF280B, which were each related to sheep fiber diameter. The wool fiber diameters of sheep with the CC genotype in SLIT3 g.478807C>G and AA genotype in ZNF280B g.677G>A were the smallest and differed significantly from the diameters of other genotypes (p < 0.05). These results suggest potential molecular marker sites for fine-wool sheep breeding.

Integration Analysis of Hair Follicle Transcriptome and Proteome Reveals the Mechanisms Regulating Wool Fiber Diameter in Angora Rabbits

“…Wool growth is regulated by various molecules and signaling pathways, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), as well as Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) and MAPK signaling [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Polymorphisms in FGF5 , slit guidance ligand 3 ( SLIT3 ), and zinc finger protein 280B ( ZNF280B ) have been associated with variations in wool fiber diameter [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Proteins constitute the fundamental components of hair fibers, with wool primarily consisting of proteins that account for 90–95% of the fiber [ 22 , 23 ].…”