Identification of key genes related to unilateral cryptorchidism in sheep by comprehensive transcriptomics and proteomics analyses.

Background: Cryptorchidism is one of the most common reproductive abnormalities in rams, which seriously harms the reproductive capacity of rams and causes significant economic losses to the sheep industry. However, there are few studies elucidating its hereditary predisposition in sheep.

Results: In the present study, the transcriptome and proteome of the cryptic (CT) and contralateral (CLT) testis from four unilaterally cryptorchid rams, and the normal testis (NT) from four healthy rams were analyzed using RNA-seq and TMT-based proteomics, respectively.

Analysis of 206 whole-genome resequencing reveals selection signatures associated with breed-specific traits in Hu sheep.

As an invaluable Chinese sheep germplasm resource, Hu sheep are renowned for their high fertility and beautiful wavy lambskins. Their distinctive characteristics have evolved over time through a combination of artificial and natural selection. Identifying selection signatures in Hu sheep can provide a straightforward insight into the mechanism of selection and further uncover the candidate genes associated with breed-specific traits subject to selection.

FecB Was Associated with Litter Size and Follows Mendel's Laws of Inheritance When It Transited to Next Generation in Suhu Meat Sheep Breeding Population.

In order to investigate the effect of FecB on litter size and growth and development traits of Suhu meat sheep and the inheritance patterns of FecB between parents and offspring in the population. In this experiment, 2241 sheep from the Suhu meat sheep population were tested for FecB using capillary electrophoresis. We combined the lambing records of 473 ewes, the growth trait records of 881 sheep at both the birth and weaning (2-month-old) stages, and the complete genealogical records of 643 lambs to analysis the distribution of FecB in the Suhu meat sheep breeding population, its effect on litter size of ewes, growth and development of lambs, and the inheritance patterns of FecB.

Whole-Genome Scanning for Selection Signatures Reveals Candidate Genes Associated with Growth and Tail Length in Sheep.

Compared to Chinese indigenous sheep, Western sheep have rapid growth rate, larger physique, and higher meat yield. These excellent Western sheep were introduced into China for crossbreeding to expedite the enhancement of production performance and mutton quality in local breeds. Here, we investigated population genetic structure and genome-wide selection signatures among the Chinese indigenous sheep and the introduced sheep based on whole-genome resequencing data.

and Regulate the Proliferation of Dermal Papilla Cells and Target the Gene.

Previous studies have demonstrated that could contribute to the proliferation of DPCs in vitro, but the upstream transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of remain largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the upstream transcriptional regulators of to enhance our comprehension of the mechanism of action of the gene in ovine DPCs. Initially, the JASPAR (2024) software was used to predict the upstream target transcription factors for the gene.

A Study of the Resistance of Hu Sheep Lambs to F17 Based on Whole Genome Sequencing.

This study aims to analyze the whole genome sequencing of F17 in antagonistic and susceptible Hu sheep lambs. The objective is to investigate the critical mutation loci in sheep and understand the genetic mechanism of sheep resistance to F17 at the genome level. Antagonist and susceptible venous blood samples were collected from Hu sheep lambs for whole genome sequencing and whole genome association analysis.

SOX18 Promotes the Proliferation of Dermal Papilla Cells via the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

SRY-box transcription factor 18 () is known to play a crucial role in the growth and development of hair follicles (HF) in both humans and mice. However, the specific effect of on sheep hair follicles remains largely unknown. In our previous study, we observed that was specifically expressed within dermal papilla cells (DPCs) in ovine hair follicles, leading us to investigate its potential role in the growth of hair follicles in sheep.

Association between DNA Methylation in the Core Promoter Region of the CUT-like Homeobox 1 () Gene and Lambskin Pattern in Hu Sheep.

CUT-like homeobox 1 () has been proven to be a key regulator in sheep hair follicle development. In our previous study, was identified as a differential expressed gene between Hu sheep lambskin with small wave patterns (SM) and straight wool patterns (ST); however, the exact molecular mechanism of expression has been obscure. As DNA methylation can regulate the gene expression, the potential association between core promotor region methylation and lambskin pattern in Hu sheep was explored in the present study.

Whole Genome Resequencing Reveals Selection Signals Related to Wool Color in Sheep.

Wool color is controlled by a variety of genes. Although the gene regulation of some wool colors has been studied in relative depth, there may still be unknown genetic variants and control genes for some colors or different breeds of wool that need to be identified and recognized by whole genome resequencing. Therefore, we used whole genome resequencing data to compare and analyze sheep populations of different breeds by population differentiation index and nucleotide diversity ratios (Fst and θπ ratio) as well as extended haplotype purity between populations (XP-EHH) to reveal selection signals related to wool coloration in sheep.

Regulates Myogenesis in Sheep, and SNPs Located in Its Putative Promoter Region Are Associated with Growth and Development Traits.

Previously, was identified as a candidate gene associated with sheep growth traits. This study aimed to investigate the direct role of in regulating myogenesis in embryonic myoblast cells and to investigate the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in its promoter region and sheep growth traits. The function of in myoblast proliferation and differentiation was detected after small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) knocked down the expression of .

Whole-Genome Resequencing Reveals Selection Signal Related to Sheep Wool Fineness.

Wool fineness affects the quality of wool, and some studies have identified about forty candidate genes that affect sheep wool fineness, but these genes often reveal only a certain proportion of the variation in wool thickness. We further explore additional genes associated with the fineness of sheep wool. Whole-genome resequencing of eight sheep breeds was performed to reveal selection signals associated with wool fineness, including four coarse wool and four fine/semi-fine wool sheep breeds.

The Effects of on Inducing Differentiation in Ovine Preadipocytes via Oar-miR-432.

Reducing fat deposition in sheep () tails is one of the most important ways to combat rising costs and control consumer preference. Our previous studies have shown that oar-miR-432 is differentially expressed in the tail adipose tissue of Hu (a fat-tailed sheep breed) and Tibetan (a thin-tailed sheep breed) sheep and is a key factor in the negative regulation of fat deposition through in ovine preadipocytes. This study investigated the effect of oar-miR-432 and its target genes in ovine preadipocytes.

CRABP2 Promotes the Proliferation of Dermal Papilla Cells via the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway.

In our previous study of Hu sheep hair follicles, we found that CRABP2 was highly expressed in DPCs, which suggested that CRABP2 may influence the number of DPCs. In the present study, we aimed to understand the effect of CRABP2 in Hu sheep dermal papilla cells (DPCs). First, we explored the influence of CRABP2 on the ability of Hu sheep DPCs' proliferation.

Integration of the Microbiome, Metabolome and Transcriptome Reveals F17 Susceptibility of Sheep.

() F17 is one of the most common pathogens causing diarrhea in farm livestock. In the previous study, we accessed the transcriptomic and microbiomic profile of F17-antagonism (AN) and -sensitive (SE) lambs; however, the biological mechanism underlying F17 infection has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the present study first analyzed the metabolite data obtained with UHPLC-MS/MS.

MiRNA-Seq reveals key MicroRNAs involved in fat metabolism of sheep liver.

There is a genetic difference between Hu sheep (short/fat-tailed sheep) and Tibetan sheep (short/thin-tailed sheep) in tail type, because of fat metabolism. Previous studies have mainly focused directly on sheep tail fat, which is not the main organ of fat metabolism. The function of miRNAs in sheep liver fat metabolism has not been thoroughly elucidated.

Defining ovine dermal papilla cell markers and identifying key signaling pathways regulating its intrinsic properties.

Dermal papilla cell (DPC), one of the key cell types during hair follicle development and regeneration, specifies hair size, shape and cycling. It is also an important screening model for hair growth. Although some characteristics of DPCs, such as agglutinative growth and marker genes, have been studied in mice and humans, the intrinsic properties of ovine DPCs and the regulatory mechanism of the intrinsic properties during continued culture remained unknown.

Effect of CUX1 on the Proliferation of Hu Sheep Dermal Papilla Cells and on the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

CUT-like homeobox 1 protein (CUX1), also called CUX, CUTL1, and CDP, is a member of the DNA-binding protein homology family. Studies have shown that is a transcription factor that plays an important role in the growth and development of hair follicles. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of on the proliferation of Hu sheep dermal papilla cells (DPCs) to reveal the role of in hair follicle growth and development.

Characterization of Intestinal Microbiota in Lambs with Different Susceptibility to F17.

Diarrhea is one of the most commonly reported diseases in young farm animals. () F17 is one of the major pathogenic bacteria responsible for diarrhea. However, the pathogenicity of diarrhea in lambs involving F17 strains and how F17 infection modifies lambs' intestinal microbiota are largely unknown.

Expression profile of gene and association of its polymorphisms with intramuscular fat content in Hu sheep.

The content of intramuscular fat (IMF) is one of the most important factors that has a large impact on meat quality, and it is an effective way to improve IMF according to marker-assisted selection (MAS). Fatty-acid synthase () is a key gene in meat lipid deposition and fatty acid composition. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the expression profile of in mRNA and protein levels using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western-blot methods.

Non-coding transcriptomic profiles in the sheep mammary gland during different lactation periods.

Sheep milk production is a dynamic and multifactorial trait regulated by diverse biological mechanisms. To improve the quality and production of sheep milk, it is necessary to understand the underlying non-coding transcriptomic mechanisms. In this study, ribonucleic acid-sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to profile the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the sheep mammary gland at three key lactation time points (perinatal period, PP; early lactation, EL; and peak lactation, PL).

Preliminary study of melatonin in the proliferation and apoptosis of Hu sheep dermal papilla cells .

Previous studies have shown that melatonin has a certain regulatory effect on the growth of sheep wool. However, the mechanism of melatonin action remains unknown. In the present study, we aimed to understand the role of exogenous melatonin in the dermal papilla cells of Hu sheep.

Whole-genome resequencing of Dorper and Hu sheep to reveal selection signatures associated with important traits.

Dorper and Hu sheep exhibit different characteristics in terms of reproduction, growth, and meat quality. Comparison of the genomes of two breeds help to reveal important genomic information. In this study, whole genome resequencing of 30 individuals (Dorper, DB and Hu sheep, HY) identified 15,108,125 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

New Insight into the Role of the Leucine Aminopeptidase 3 () in Cell Proliferation and Myogenic Differentiation in Sheep Embryonic Myoblasts.

Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have found that may have the potential function to impact sheep muscle development. In order to further explore whether expression has an important role in the development of sheep embryonic myoblasts, we conducted the spatiotemporal expression profile analysis of at the tissue and cellular level. Then we used small interfering RNA and eukaryotic recombinant vectors to perform gain/loss-of-function analysis of .