Altered Hair Root Gene Expression Profiles Highlight Calcium Signaling and Lipid Metabolism Pathways Associated With Curly Hair Initiation and Maintenance in Mangalitza Pigs

The research paper investigated the genetic basis of curly hair in Mangalitza pigs, using RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression in hair roots. The study found 2,554 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between curly and straight hair, with 2,036 of these DEGs being upregulated and 518 DEGs being downregulated in curly-haired individuals. The study highlighted the importance of calcium signaling and lipid metabolism pathways in the development and maintenance of curly hair. The study also suggested an ionic calcium-dependency as a prominent factor for the maintenance of this phenotype. The research did not identify TRPM2 or CYP4F3, previously suggested genes, as differentially expressed, but found their associated genes and proteins to interact with lipids and calcium-related pathways.