Characterisation of Three Ovine Family Genes and Their Association with Wool Traits in Chinese Tan Sheep.

Understanding the genetic basis of wool traits is crucial for improving wool production. In this study, we investigated the ovine KAP13 gene family, which in humans contains multiple members, while only one member has been identified to date in sheep. Three ovine genes, likely representing , , and , were identified through sequence analysis and phylogenetic comparisons. These genes are positioned on chromosome 1, between and , in a pattern that is like the arrangement in humans but not identical. Analyses revealed multiple sequence variants of each gene in 356 sheep from a variety of wool, meat, and dual-purpose breeds. The effect of these genes on four fibre traits: mean fibre curvature (MFC), mean fibre diameter (MFD), coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CVFD), and fibre diameter standard deviation (FDSD), was assessed in 240 lambs of the Chinese Tan sheep breed. An allele of was revealed to be associated with a decrease in FDSD and CVFD in heterotypic fibres. No associations were found between variation and wool traits, and an association analysis for was not conducted because no variation was found in this gene in the Chinese Tan sheep studied. These findings suggest a potential role for in regulating wool traits, particularly fibre diameter uniformity in larger heterotypic hair fibres, and suggest its potential use as a marker for improving wool traits.