Comprehensive Analysis of the Expression Profiles of mRNA, lncRNA, circRNA, and miRNA in Primary Hair Follicles of Coarse Sheep Fetal Skin

This study explores the molecular mechanisms of hair follicle development in Qinghai Tibetan sheep by analyzing the expression profiles of mRNA, lncRNA, circRNA, and miRNA in primary hair follicles. Researchers identified 20,874 mRNAs, 25,831 circRNAs, 4,087 lncRNAs, and 794 miRNAs, with significant differential expression observed in 325 circRNAs, 924 mRNAs, and 58 lncRNAs. Key signaling pathways such as JAK-STAT, TGF-β, Hedgehog, PPAR, and cGMP-PKG were found to be crucial for fibroblast and epithelial development. The study constructed a ceRNA regulatory network, identifying important RNA interactions, including 113 circRNA–miRNA pairs and 14 miRNA–mRNA pairs, which contribute to understanding hair follicle morphogenesis. These findings provide a foundation for enhancing wool traits through selective breeding and offer insights into the genetic basis of wool-related traits.