Increasing GSH-Px Activity and Activating Wnt Pathway Promote Fine Wool Growth in FGF5-Edited Sheep
June 2024
in “
Cells
”
TLDR Editing the FGF5 gene in sheep increases fine wool growth.
The study investigated the effects of FGF5 gene editing on wool growth in four Dorper sheep using CRISPR/Cas9. The edited sheep showed significantly increased fine wool density and a higher proportion of fine wool (14.4–20.0 μm). FGF5 editing led to decreased cortisol levels, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity (including Glutathione peroxidase, GSH-Px), and activated the Wnt signaling pathway, promoting secondary hair follicle (SHF) development. These findings suggest that FGF5 is crucial for SHF growth and could be a molecular marker for fine wool production in sheep breeding.