Abstract
Hair follicle development is closely associated with wool curvature. Current studies reveal the crucial role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in hair follicle growth and development. However, few studies are known regarding their role in wool curvature. To reveal the potential roles of miRNAs in Hu sheep lambskin with different patterns, a total of 37 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were identified in hair follicles between small waves (SM) and straight wool (ST) groups using RNA-seq. Through functional enrichment and miRNA-mRNA co-expression analysis, some key miRNAs (oar-miR-143, oar-miR-200b, oar-miR-10a, oar-miR-181a, oar-miR-10b, oar-miR-125b, etc.) and miRNA-mRNA pairs (miR-125b target CD34, miR-181a target FGF12, LMO3, miR-200b target ZNF536, etc.) were identified. Though direct or indirect ways affecting hair follicle development, these miRNAs and mRNAs may have possible effects on wool curvature, and this study thus provides valuable insight on potential pattern formation.
Highlights
Hu sheep is a unique species of lambskin in China, characterized by precocity and high productivity
Much work has been performed on the hair follicles of Hu sheep and we previously reported a total of 114 differentially expressed (DE) circular RNA [23] and 72 DE long non-coding RNAs [24] between small waves and straight wool after completing whole3 otfr1a6nscriptome sequencing
The expression profiles of miRNAs and mRNAs were investigated in hair follicles between straight wool and small waves using RNA-seq
Summary
Hu sheep is a unique species of lambskin in China, characterized by precocity and high productivity. Wool curvature is the key factor of the wave pattern of lambskin, which is decided by hair follicle growth and development [1]. Wu et al noted a significant increase in melatonin-related Hoxc expression which positively triggered hair follicle development-relevant genes. With the further research of miRNA, the hair follicle growth and development process may be controlled by epigenetic regulator factor miRNAs, except for multiple genes and signaling pathways. MiRNA and its target gene form diverse regulatory networks, playing an important role in hair follicle growth and development. Much work has been performed on the hair follicles of Hu sheep and we previously reported a total of 114 DE circular RNA (cirRNAs) [23] and 72 DE long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) [24] between small waves and straight wool after completing whole otfr1a6nscriptome sequencing.
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