Comparative Skin Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Candidate Genes Associated with Skin Responses in Hu Sheep Raised...

Area of Science:

• Animal Genomics and Physiology
• Environmental Adaptation
• Comparative Transcriptomics

Background:

• Hu sheep reared in diverse environments exhibit varying phenotypic traits.
• Understanding skin tissue responses is crucial for assessing environmental adaptation.
• Regional differences in rearing conditions may influence sheep physiology and gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify candidate genes associated with skin tissue responses in Hu sheep.
• To explore the potential relevance of these genes to low-temperature environmental responses.
• To compare transcriptomic profiles of sheep from Anhui and Xinjiang regions.

Main Methods:

• Histological analysis of skin tissues.
• RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) for transcriptomic profiling.
• Differential gene expression analysis, functional enrichment (GO, KEGG), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction.
• RT-qPCR validation of selected candidate genes.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in body measurements and temperature between Xinjiang and Anhui sheep.
• Xinjiang sheep showed enhanced skin insulation characteristics (denser hair follicles, thicker dermis).
• 295 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified, enriched in immune, metabolic, and signaling pathways.
• Candidate genes including CXCL13, CCL2, FGF21, GPX3, CYP1A1, HSD11B1, CDO1, and STEAP4 were identified.

Conclusions:

• Regional environmental differences induce distinct phenotypic and transcriptomic profiles in Hu sheep skin.
• Identified candidate genes provide molecular insights into skin adaptation, potentially related to low-temperature responses.
• Findings offer associative evidence for environmental adaptation in sheep, requiring further causal investigation.