A comparison of transcriptomic patterns measured in the skin of Chinese fine and coarse wool sheep breeds

Abstract

We characterised wool traits, and skin gene expression profiles of fine wool Super Merino (SM) and coarse wool Small Tail Han (STH) sheep. SM sheep had a significantly higher total density of wool follicles, heavier fleeces, finer fibre diameter, and increased crimp frequency, staple length and wool grease (lanolin) production. We found 435 genes were expressed at significantly different levels in the skin of the two breeds (127 genes more highly in SM and 308 genes more highly in STH sheep). Classification of the genes more highly expressed in SM sheep revealed numerous lipid metabolic genes as well as genes encoding keratins, keratin-associated proteins, and wool follicle stem cell markers. In contrast, mammalian epidermal development complex genes and other genes associated with skin cornification and muscle function were more highly expressed in STH sheep. Genes identified in this study may be further evaluated for inclusion in breeding programs, or as targets for therapeutic or genetic interventions, aimed at altering wool quality or yield. Expression of the lipid metabolic genes in the skin of sheep may be used as a novel trait with the potential to alter the content or properties of lanolin or the fleece.

Comparative transcriptome and histological analyses provide insights into the skin pigmentation in Minxian black fur sheep (Ovis aries)

“…Many biological mechanisms in sheep skin can be assessed using comparative anatomy, transcriptomics, and genomics ( Jablonski, 2004 ). The transcriptome of the skin of fine and coarse wool sheep breeds in China have been evaluated ( Zhang et al, 2017a ). Skin transcriptome profiles associated with coat color in sheep ( Fan et al, 2013 ) or goats ( Ren et al, 2017 ) have also been characterized.…”

Skin transcriptome profiling of Changthangi goats highlights the relevance of genes involved in Pashmina production

“…Our results are in concert with similar observations in Cashmere www.nature.com/scientificreports www.nature.com/scientificreports/ goats wherein KRT14, KRT23, KRT25, KRT27, KRT28, KRT80, KRT84, KRTAP3-1 and KRT11-1 were identified to be important for hair follicle morphogenesis in foetal skin at different stages of development 5 . Higher expression of KRT and KRTAP genes such as KRT36, KRT79, KRTAP6-1, KRTAP1-1, KRTAP4-9L, KRTAP9-2 and KRTAP6-2L has also been observed in fine wool Super Merino as compared to coarse wool Small Tail Han sheep 10 . Among these, KRTAPs, KRTAP4-9, KRTAP6-1 and KRTAP6-2L have been reported to determine the physico-chemical properties of the wool fiber and are associated with differences in the crimp of wool 11 .…”

On Hair Follicle Development and Wool Production Traits in Sheep: A Review

“…Cluster analysis and gene annotation showed that the differentially expressed genes mainly bind to receptors related to multicellular biological process, protein binding and polymer complex. Using RNA sequencing technology, Zhang et al (2017) studied the skin tissue of Superfine merino wool sheep (SM) and Small tail han sheep (STH) and coarse wool sheep. He obtained 435 differentially expressed genes, including 127 downregulated genes and 308 up-regulated genes.…”