Identification of the Key Genes Associated with the Yak Hair Follicle Cycle.

Xiaolan Zhang,Min Chu,Pengjia Bao,Chunnian Liang,Xuelan Zhou,Jie Pei,Na Ye,Xian Guo,Yongfeng Zhang,Ping Yan

doi:10.3390/genes13010032

Xiaolan Zhang, Min Chu + Show 8 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13010032

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Abstract

The development of hair follicles in yak shows significant seasonal cycles. In our previous research, transcriptome data including mRNAs and lncRNAs in five stages during the yak hair follicles (HFs) cycle were detected, but their regulation network and the hub genes in different periods are yet to be explored. This study aimed to screen and identify the hub genes during yak HFs cycle by constructing a mRNA-lncRNA co-expression network. A total of 5000 differently expressed mRNA (DEMs) and 729 differently expressed long noncoding RNA (DELs) were used to construct the co-expression network, based on weighted genes co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Four temporally specific modules were considered to be significantly associated with the HFs cycle of yak. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that the modules are enriched into Wnt, EMC-receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt, focal adhesion pathways, and so on. The hub genes, such as FER, ELMO1, PCOLCE, and HOXC13, were screened in different modules. Five hub genes (WNT5A, HOXC13, DLX3, FOXN1, and OVOL1) and part of key lncRNAs were identified for specific expression in skin tissue. Furthermore, immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting results showed that the expression location and abundance of DLX3 and OVOL1 are changed following the process of the HFs cycle, which further demonstrated that these two hub genes may play important roles in HFs development.

Highlights

IntroductionThe yak (Bos grunniens) is a key and symbolic species on the Tibetan Plateau
Accepted: 22 December 2021The yak (Bos grunniens) is a key and symbolic species on the Tibetan Plateau
Coarse wool is derived from primary hair follicles (PHFs) and cashmere is derived from secondary hair follicles (SHFs)

Summary

Introduction

The yak (Bos grunniens) is a key and symbolic species on the Tibetan Plateau. Yak cashmere is a valuable textile material with fine fibers, similar to cashmere, and it has the characteristics of soft texture and warm performance, compared with coarse wool. This double-coated structure may be the result of yak adapting to the alpine environment for a long time. The scapular region, back, and side are prolific with cashmere, the abdomen is mainly coarse hair. The hair of yak is important for pastoralist’s living materials and economic benefit in the Tibetan Plateau. The SHFs of yak undergo a clear seasonal circulation. A growth cycle mainly consists of growth (anagen), regression (catagen), and a rest stage (telogen) [1]

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