Identification of the Key Genes Associated with Different Hair Types in the Inner Mongolia Cashmere Goat

Abstract

The Inner Mongolia cashmere goat is an excellent local breed in China. According to the characteristics of wool quilts, the Inner Mongolia cashmere goat can be divided into three types: a long-hair type (hair length of >22 cm), a short-hair type (hair length of ≤13 cm), and an intermediate type (hair length of >13 cm and ≤22 cm). It is found that hair length has a certain reference value for the indirect selection of other important economic traits of cashmere. In order to explore the molecular mechanisms and related regulatory genes of the different hair types, a weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was carried out on the gene expression data and phenotypic data of 12-month-old Inner Mongolia cashmere goats with a long-hair type (LHG) and a short-hair type (SHG) to explore the coexpression modules related to different coat types and nine candidate genes, and detect the relative expression of key candidate genes. The results showed that the WGCNA divided these genes into 19 coexpression modules and found that there was a strong correlation between one module and different hair types. The expression trends of this module’s genes were different in the two hair types, with high expression in the LHG and low expression in the SHG. GO functions are mainly concentrated in cellular components, including intermediate filaments (GO:0005882), intermediate filament cytoskeletons (GO:0045111), and cytoskeletal parts (GO:0044430). The KEGG pathway is mainly enriched in arginine as well as proline metabolism (chx00330) and the MAPK signaling pathway (chx04010). The candidate genes of the different hair types, including the KRT39, KRT74, LOC100861184, LOC102177231, LOC102178767, LOC102179881, LOC106503203, LOC108638293, and LOC108638298 genes, were screened. Through qRT-PCR, it was found that there were significant differences in these candidate genes between the two hair types, and most of them had a significant positive correlation with hair length. It was preliminarily inferred that these candidate genes could regulate the different hair types of cashmere goats and provide molecular markers for hair growth.

Whole-Genome Scanning for Selection Signatures Reveals Candidate Genes Associated with Growth and Tail Length in Sheep

“…SAR1B is involved in lipid metabolism in sheep [ 68 ] and is related to milk production traits in cattle [ 69 ]. In addition, we identified candidate genes related to other traits, for example, ASIP is associated with wool color [ 70 ], and KRT71 , KRT74 [ 71 ], and IRF2BP2 [ 72 ] are involved in hair development. The keratin 74 ( KRT74 ) gene and its neighboring gene KRT71 function as genetic determinants of normal variation in hair texture across mammalian species [ 73 ] and are identified as the key genes associated with different hair types in cashmere goat and sheep [ 71 ].…”

“…In addition, we identified candidate genes related to other traits, for example, ASIP is associated with wool color [ 70 ], and KRT71 , KRT74 [ 71 ], and IRF2BP2 [ 72 ] are involved in hair development. The keratin 74 ( KRT74 ) gene and its neighboring gene KRT71 function as genetic determinants of normal variation in hair texture across mammalian species [ 73 ] and are identified as the key genes associated with different hair types in cashmere goat and sheep [ 71 ]. IRF2BP2 acts as a transcriptional coregulator and is also identified as a novel master gene in sheep hair development [ 72 ].…”

Melatonin Promotes the Development of Secondary Hair Follicles in Adult Cashmere Goats by Activating the Keap1-Nrf2 Signaling Pathway and Inhibiting the Inflammatory Transcription Factors NFκB and AP-1

“…Inner Mongolia cashmere goats are internationally renowned for their excellent cashmere fiber quality [ 3 ]. The annual cashmere yield of each goat is 600-800 g with a fiber diameter of 11–16 µm, and the growth of cashmere in these goats is highly seasonal [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Identification of Candidate Genes for Min Pig Villi Hair Traits by Genome-Wide Association of Copy Number Variation

“…In mammals, the hair follicles mostly developed circularly, and the villi hair was produced by secondary hair follicles [ 3 ]. In previous reports, research on human and mouse hair growth was mainly focused on related diseases, such as alopecia and leukotrichia [ 4 ].…”

“…In economically fur-bearing animals, such as cashmere goats, yaks, and mink, research was mainly focused on hair follicle growth [ 5 ]. There are only a few reports concerning the genetics of animal villus hair, and candidate genes related to hair development was plakophilin 1 ( PKP1 ), forkhead box family genes, keratins (KRTs), chi - miR - 30e - 5p , and delta-like canonical notch ligand 4 ( DLL4 ) [ 3 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”