Identification and Expression of the Target Gene SLC24A2 of Oar-miR-377 and Its Novel SNPs Effects on Wool Traits in Sheep

This study explores the impact of the gene SLC24A2, targeted by oar-miR-377, on wool traits in sheep, particularly focusing on secondary hair follicle development. Researchers identified a significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (276T>C) in the oar-miR-377 upstream sequences in 165 Chinese Merino and 95 prolific Suffolk sheep, which is associated with fiber diameter variation. The study found that oar-miR-377 promotes secondary hair follicle development by downregulating SLC24A2 expression. The identified SNP could serve as a marker for improving wool quality in sheep breeding, with the TT genotype linked to better wool quality due to less fiber diameter variation.