Abstract
Animal growth and development are regulated by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, the functions of lncRNAs in regulating cashmere fineness are poorly understood. To identify the key lncRNAs that are related to cashmere fineness in skin, we have collected skin samples of Liaoning cashmere goats (LCG) and Inner Mongolia cashmere goats (MCG) in the anagen phase, and have performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) approach on these samples. The high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analyses identified 437 novel lncRNAs, including 93 differentially expressed lncRNAs. We also identified 3084 differentially expressed messenger RNAs (mRNAs) out of 27,947 mRNAs. Gene ontology (GO) analyses of lncRNAs and target genes in cis show a predominant enrichment of targets that are related to intermediate filament and intermediate filament cytoskeleton. According to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, sphingolipid metabolism is a significant pathway for lncRNA targets. In addition, this is the first report to reveal the possible lncRNA–mRNA regulatory network for cashmere fineness in cashmere goats. We also found that lncRNA XLOC_008679 and its target gene, KRT35, may be related to cashmere fineness in the anagen phase. The characterization and expression analyses of lncRNAs will facilitate future studies on the potential value of fiber development in LCG.
Highlights
The cashmere goat is vital for the daily lives of some human societies, and it is famous for its excellent fiber production characteristics
This study provides a useful reference for further understanding of the relationship between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and cashmere fineness, and it will contribute to knowledge on the development of cashmere traits
We identified the differential expression of 93 lncRNAs and 3084 messenger RNAs (mRNAs)
Summary
The cashmere goat is vital for the daily lives of some human societies, and it is famous for its excellent fiber production characteristics. Researchers have sought ways of improving the quantity and quality of cashmere, and the fineness and quality of cashmere have attracted much attention [1,2]. The Liaoning cashmere goat (LCG) and Inner. Mongolia cashmere goat (MCG) are excellent domestic breeds with large cashmere yields, and each of these breeds has its own advantages. MCG is known as a “soft gold” breed, with the production of soft and fine cashmere fiber, while LCG has higher cashmere production and coarse fiber diameter. Research on changing the cashmere fineness of LCG is a main priority
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