College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830000, China.
Institute of Animal Husbandry Quality Standards, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830000, China.
Genes Genomics. 2024 Oct;46(10):1239-1252. doi: 10.1007/s13258-024-01562-2. Epub 2024 Sep 11.
Colored wool from cashmere goats is increasingly popular among consumers, but the transcriptomic differences between coat colors are poorly understood.
This study aimed to screen for coat color regulation-associated genes in cashmere goats to ascertain their underlying molecular mechanisms.
Transcriptomic sequencing of skin tissues from black (BC), brown (YC), and white cashmere (WC) goats was performed. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to validate SLC24A4 and DCT expression, two essential genes identified for coat color determination.
We identified 6,518 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the BC vs. WC group (3,919 upregulated, 2,599 downregulated). Next, 5,593 DEGs were identified in the YC vs. WC group (3,629 upregulated, 1,964 downregulated). Finally, 4,538 DEGs were expressed in both groups, with 1,980 and 1,055 DEGs exclusively expressed in either group. Functions and pathways associated with hair color were enriched, including melanosomes, melanocyte migration, melanin biosynthesis processes and functions, and melanogenesis pathways. TYRP1, SLC24A4, PMEL, OCA2, and DCT were significantly upregulated in BC goat skin, while ASIP was significantly upregulated in YC skin. Additionally, KIT, POMC, SLC24A5, Wnt3a, and EDN3 were DEGs for different coat colors. Immunohistochemistry revealed SLC24A4 and DCT expression in dermal papillae, inner and outer root sheaths, and the hair follicle matrix. Western blotting showed that SLC24A4 protein levels were highest in BC goat skin. DCT protein levels were also highest in BC goat skin, albeit not significantly.
These results further our understanding of coat color regulation in cashmere goats, establishing a foundation for their molecular breeding.
彩色绵羊毛越来越受到消费者的欢迎，但其毛色差异的转录组学基础仍知之甚少。
本研究旨在筛选绒山羊毛色调控相关基因，以阐明其潜在的分子机制。
对黑色（BC）、棕色（YC）和白色（WC）绒山羊皮肤组织进行转录组测序。采用免疫组织化学和 Western blot 验证了 SLC24A4 和 DCT 这两个决定毛色的关键基因的表达情况。
我们在 BC 与 WC 组之间鉴定出 6518 个差异表达基因（DEGs）（3919 个上调，2599 个下调）。接着，在 YC 与 WC 组之间鉴定出 5593 个 DEGs（3629 个上调，1964 个下调）。最后，在两组间均有 4538 个 DEGs 表达，其中 1980 个和 1055 个 DEGs 仅在两组之一中表达。与毛色相关的功能和途径富集，包括黑素体、黑素细胞迁移、黑色素生物合成过程和功能以及黑色素生成途径。在 BC 山羊皮肤中，TYRP1、SLC24A4、PMEL、OCA2 和 DCT 显著上调，而在 YC 皮肤中 ASIP 显著上调。此外，KIT、POMC、SLC24A5、Wnt3a 和 EDN3 是不同毛色的差异表达基因。免疫组织化学显示 SLC24A4 和 DCT 在真皮乳头、内外根鞘和毛囊基质中表达。Western blot 显示 SLC24A4 蛋白水平在 BC 山羊皮肤中最高，DCT 蛋白水平在 BC 山羊皮肤中也最高，但无统计学差异。
这些结果进一步了解了绒山羊毛色调控机制，为其分子育种奠定了基础。
