Combination of Transcriptomics and Proteomics Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes and Proteins in the Skin of EDAR Gene-Targeted and Wildtype Cashmere Goats

The study investigated the role of the EDAR gene in hair follicle growth and development in Cashmere goats. Using transcriptomic and proteomic techniques, the researchers identified 732 differentially expressed genes (395 upregulated and 337 downregulated) and 140 differentially expressed proteins (69 upregulated and 71 downregulated) in the skin of EDAR gene-targeted and wildtype Cashmere goats. The EDAR gene-targeted goats had dry skin, no hair on the top of their head, and abnormal hair follicle development. The study found that the deletion of the EDAR gene significantly changed the expression of genes closely related to cellular processes, single organism processes, and binding and catalytic modules. These findings provide a basis for understanding how EDAR regulates hair follicle growth in cashmere goats and enrich our understanding of the regulatory network involved in hair follicle growth.