Yang Hao, Chu Mingxing, Zhang Xiaoxu, Shan Mingzhu, Lu Xiaoning, Pan Zhangyuan, He Jianning
College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
Genomics. 2025 Mar;117(2):110990. doi: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2025.110990. Epub 2025 Jan 4.
Horn is a defensive weapon of sheep, consisting of a horny sheath and a bony core. The KRT2 gene is related to keratinization of the epidermis, so it is likely to be one of the contributor genes affecting horn type in sheep. In this study, we first analyzed the species-specific and tissue-specific expression of the KRT2 gene using transcriptome sequencing data. Then, by comparing the protein sequences of 20 species, we identified 28 specific amino acid sites in Artiodactyla animals, constructed a phylogenetic tree of the KRT2 gene, and predicted its three-dimensional protein structure. Finally, whole genome sequencing data was used and mined 4 functional SNP sites of KRT2 gene, and use KASP assay to verify the loci. In addition, we explored the relationship between the KRT2 gene and the evolution of Artiodactyla animals, and predicted the possible mechanism by which the KRT2 gene affects the horn type of sheep.
角是绵羊的一种防御武器，由角质鞘和骨质核心组成。KRT2基因与表皮角质化有关，因此它很可能是影响绵羊角型的贡献基因之一。在本研究中，我们首先利用转录组测序数据分析了KRT2基因的物种特异性和组织特异性表达。然后，通过比较20个物种的蛋白质序列，我们在偶蹄目动物中鉴定出28个特异性氨基酸位点，构建了KRT2基因的系统发育树，并预测了其三维蛋白质结构。最后，利用全基因组测序数据挖掘出KRT2基因的4个功能性SNP位点，并使用KASP分析对这些位点进行验证。此外，我们还探讨了KRT2基因与偶蹄目动物进化之间的关系，并预测了KRT2基因影响绵羊角型的可能机制。
