De Novo Transcriptome Assembly and Differential Gene Expression Profiling of Three Capra Hircus Skin Types During Anagen of the Hair Growth Cycle

The study on Inner Mongolia Cashmere Goats aimed to understand gene expression patterns in different skin types during the anagen phase of hair growth. Using next-generation sequencing, researchers performed de novo transcriptome assembly and differential gene expression profiling on skin from the back, body side, and belly of a two-year-old female goat. They generated approximately 130 million raw reads, resulting in 49,115 contigs, with 23,039 putative coding sequences identified. The study found significant variations in gene expression patterns between skin types, correlating with differences in cashmere production. It identified 6,333 differentially expressed genes enriched in cell cycle control and division, suggesting differences in hair synthesis rates. The research provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of cashmere fiber growth, although it was limited by the availability of goat-specific gene sequences in public databases.