Identification of genes influencing formation of the Type III Brush Hair in Yangtze River Delta white goats by differential display of mRNA

Abstract

Yangtze River Delta white goat is an exclusive indigenous Chinese goat breeds that can produce Brush Hair specialized in making valuable writing brush. The high-grade (Type III) Brush Hair is conical coarse hair but with a tip, which only grows in the cervical carina and back regions of Yangtze River Delta white goats. Screening of genes influencing the formation of Type III Brush Hair was conducted using differential display of mRNA technique in skin including the hair follicles of different goat groups and the differential bands were identified using reverse Northern dot blot, and the positive bands were subsequently cloned and sequenced. The results showed that 20 differentially displayed bands were obtained, seven of which were identified positive as expressed in skin. Three of these seven cDNAs were homologous to certain sequences from GenBank and the other four were respectively homologous to CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing 3 (CMTM3), S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S100A4), protein kinase inhibitor gamma (PKIG) and fibulin 1-D. The study would provide a new view to elucidate their roles in hair growth and hair follicle cycle and increase our understanding of the formation of Type III Brush Hair.

Keywords: AR; BMP; CKLF; CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing 3; CMTM3; CUTL1; Differential display; EDC; EGF; FGF; FOXN1; HOXC13; MSX2; PBMCs; PKA; PKIG; PKIs; S100 calcium binding protein A4; S100 fused-type protein; S100A4; SAGE; SFTP; TGF; TM4SF; Type III Brush Hair; Yangtze River Delta white goat; androgen receptor; bone morphogenetic protein; cAMP-dependent protein kinase; chemokine-like factor gene superfamily; cut-like homeobox 1; epidermal differentiation complex; epidermal growth factor; fibroblast growth factor; forkhead box N1; homeobox C13; melanocyte-stimulating hormone homeobox 2; peripheral blood mononuclear cells; protein kinase inhibitor gamma; protein kinase inhibitors; serial analysis of gene expression; transforming growth factor; transmembrane-4 superfamily.