Abstract
Simple SummaryCashmere goats are a unique husbandry resource in China. These goats are well known for producing the highest cashmere yield and best fiber quality in the world. Although cashmere is highly valued and also known as “fiber gem” and “soft gold”, few studies have examined the genetic basis of cashmere traits in cashmere goats. Here, we identified selection signals by comparing Fst and XP-EHH (the cross population extend haplotype homozygosity test) of a non-cashmere breed (Huanghuai goat) with those of two cashmere breeds (Inner Mongolia and Liaoning cashmere goats). Two genes (WNT10A and CSN3) were potentially associated with cashmere traits. This information may be valuable for studying the genetic uniqueness of cashmere goats and elucidating the mechanisms underlying cashmere traits in cashmere goats.Inner Mongolia and Liaoning cashmere goats in China are well-known for their cashmere quality and yield. Thus, they are great models for identifying genomic regions associated with cashmere traits. Herein, 53 Inner Mongolia cashmere goats, Liaoning cashmere goats and Huanghuai goats were genotyped, and 53,347 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were produced using the Illumina Caprine 50K SNP chip. Additionally, we identified some positively selected SNPs by analyzing Fst and XP-EHH. The top 5% of SNPs had selection signatures. After gene annotation, 222 and 173 candidate genes were identified in Inner Mongolia and Liaoning cashmere goats, respectively. Several genes were related to hair follicle development, such as TRPS1, WDR74, LRRC14, SPTLC3, IGF1R, PADI2, FOXP1, WNT10A and CSN3. Gene enrichment analysis of these cashmere trait-associated genes related 67 enriched signaling pathways that mainly participate in hair follicle development and stem cell pluripotency regulation. Furthermore, we identified 20 overlapping genes that were selected in both cashmere goat breeds. Among these overlapping genes, WNT10A and CSN3, which are associated with hair follicle development, are potentially involved in cashmere production. These findings may improve molecular breeding of cashmere goats in the future.
Highlights
Cashmere goats produce cashmere [1] from the secondary hair follicle [2,3]
The individuals were representative of six native goat breeds in China: Mongolia Cashmere goats (MGR), Liaoning Cashmere goats (LNR), HHG, Daiyun goats (DYG), CDM
This is consistent with a report that MGR and LNR came from a recent common origin [32]
Summary
Cashmere goats produce cashmere [1] from the secondary hair follicle [2,3]. Cashmere is finer, softer, lighter, and more insulating than sheep wool; it is considered a luxury fiber [4,5,6].Cashmere goats are only found in specific areas of Asia [7]. Cashmere goats produce cashmere [1] from the secondary hair follicle [2,3]. Softer, lighter, and more insulating than sheep wool; it is considered a luxury fiber [4,5,6]. Cashmere goats are only found in specific areas of Asia [7]. Cashmere goat breeds that yield 75% of the Cashmere produced worldwide [8]. Among these breeds, Inner Mongolia and Liaoning Cashmere goats are well known for the thin fiber diameter and high yield of their Cashmere [9]. Researchers have attempted to identify the underlying genetic mechanisms to produce higher Cashmere quality and yield
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