Association analysis for SNPs of KRT26 and TCHH genes with cashmere production performance, body measurement traits and milk production traits in Liaoning cashmere goats

Proteomic Analysis of Crimped and Straight Wool in Chinese Tan Sheep

Crimped wool in Tan sheep gradually transitions to straight wool after 35 days (the er-mao stage), which reduces its commercial value. To investigate the changes in wool proteins during this stage, we performed comparative proteomic analysis of the straight and crimped wool using tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantification. The mean fur curvature (MFC) of crimped wool was significantly greater than that of straight wool (p < 0.001). We identified 1218 proteins between the two types of wool, including 50 keratins (Ks) and 10 keratin-associated proteins (KAPs). There were 213 differentially expressed proteins, including 13 Ks and 4 KAPs. Crimped wool showed relatively high abundances of KAP24-1, K84, K32, K82, and intermediate filament rod domain-containing protein (IRDC), whereas straight wool had relatively high abundances of K6A, K27, K80, KAP16-1, KAP27-1, and trichohyalin (TCHH). The expression levels of KAP16-1, KAP24-1, and KAP27-1 were related to the ratio of paracortex, which may be associated with wool crimp formation. Additionally, high expressions of TCHH, K27, and K6A in the inner root sheath (IRS) were linked to fiber fineness in straight wool. These findings provide insight into the overall expression and distribution patterns of Ks and KAPs, offering opportunities to improve wool quality and enhance its economic potential in the textile industry.

Association analysis for SNPs of LIPE and ITGB4 genes with cashmere production performance, body measurement traits and milk production traits in Liaoning cashmere goats

Liaoning cashmere goat (LCG) is one of the excellent cashmere goat breeds in China. Because of its larger size, better cashmere, and better cashmere production performance, people pay special attention to it. This article mainly studied the relationship between SNP loci of LIPE gene and ITGB4 gene and milk production, cashmere production and body measurement traits of LCGs. We further identified potential SNP loci by PCR-Seq polymorphism detection and gene sequence comparison of LIPE and ITGB4 genes. Further, we use SPSS and SHEsis software to analyze their relationship to production performance. The consequence indicated that CC genotype of LIPE gene T16409C locus was dominant genotype in milk production and cashmere production, while CT genotype of LIPE gene T16409C locus was dominant in body size. The CT genotype of C168T locus of ITGB4 gene is the dominant genotype of body type and cashmere production, while the dominant genotype of milk production is TT genotype. Through joint analysis, in haploid combinations, H1H2:CCCT is the dominant haplotype combination in cashmere fineness. H3H4:TTCT is a dominant haplotype combination of milk production traits and body measurement traits. These dominant genotypes can provide a reliable basis for the study of production performance of LCG.

Effect of Fibroblast Growth Factor 10 and an Interacting Non-Coding RNA on Secondary Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells in Cashmere Goats' Follicle Development Assessed by Whole-Transcriptome Sequencing Technology

Cashmere, a keratinised product of secondary hair follicles (SHFs) in cashmere goats, holds an important place in international high-end textiles. However, research on the complex molecular and signal regulation during the development and growth of hair follicles (HFs), which is essential for the development of the cashmere industry, is limited. Moreover, increasing evidence indicates that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) participate in HF development. Herein, we systematically investigated a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network mediated by circular RNAs (circRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in skin samples of cashmere goat embryos, using whole-transcriptome sequencing technology. We obtained 6468, 394, and 239 significantly differentially expressed mRNAs, circRNAs, and miRNAs, respectively. These identified RNAs were further used to construct a ceRNA regulatory network, mediated by circRNAs, for cashmere goats at a late stage of HF development. Among the molecular species identified, miR-184 and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 10 exhibited competitive targeted interactions. In secondary HF dermal papilla cells (SHF-DPCs), miR-184 promotes proliferation, inhibits apoptosis, and alters the cell cycle via the competitive release of FGF10. This study reports that FGF10 and its interaction with ncRNAs significantly affect SHF-DPCs, providing a reference for research on the biology of HFs in cashmere goats and other mammals.