TLDR The Msx2 gene affects feather development in Hungarian white geese and a specific gene variation could indicate feather quality.
The study examined the role of the Msx2 gene in the development of feather follicles in the Hungarian white goose. The expression of the Msx2 gene was found to increase, decrease, and then increase again during embryonic feather follicle development, peaking at E18. Overexpression of the Msx2 gene increased cell viability and altered the expression of several other genes, while silencing the gene decreased cell viability. The study also identified 11 SNP loci in the Msx2 gene, four of which were missense mutations. The feather follicle diameter of the GC genotype at the G78C site was significantly larger than that of the other two genotypes. The study concluded that the Msx2 gene may inhibit apoptosis of goose dermal fibroblasts and promote their proliferation, and that G78C could be a potential molecular marker for downy variety.
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