Identification of the Caprine Keratin-Associated Protein 20-2 (KAP20-2) Gene and Its Effect on Cashmere Traits.

The gene encoding the high glycine/tyrosine keratin-associated protein 20-2 (KAP20-2) gene has been described in humans, but has not been identified in any livestock species. A search for similar sequences in the caprine genome using the human KAP20-2 gene () revealed a homologous sequence on chromosome 1. Three different banding patterns representing distinct sequences (-) in Longdong cashmere goats were identified using polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis. These sequences shared high sequence similarity with the human and mouse sequences, suggesting that - are caprine variants of the human and mouse genes. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, and three of them were non-synonymous. was found to be expressed in secondary hair follicles, but not in heart, liver, lung, kidney, spleen, or muscle. The presence of was associated with increased cashmere fibre weight, while the presence of was associated with a decrease in cashmere fibre weight and curly fibre length. Goats with genotype had a higher cashmere fibre weight and a higher curly fibre length than those with genotypes or . These results indicate that caprine variation may have value as a genetic marker for improving cashmere fibre weight.