Molecular Cloning, Sequence Analysis and Expression of Goat EDA Gene

The study focused on the goat Ectodysplasin-A (Eda) gene, analyzing its coding sequence and expression during different hair follicle cycle stages in three adult male Taihang black goats. The Eda-A1 coding sequence was 1,176 bp, encoding 391 amino acids, while Eda-A2 was slightly shorter, encoding 389 amino acids. Both sequences showed over 90% identity with other species' Eda genes. The Eda protein contained a TNF motif, collagen, and a transmembrane segment. Eda mRNA expression was highest during the catagen phase, medium during anagen, and lowest during telogen, suggesting that Eda plays a role in the molecular regulation of the hair cycle.