The Inconsistent Regulation of HOXC13 on Different Keratins and the Regulation Mechanism on HOXC13 in Cashmere Goat (Capra Hircus)

In the 2018 study, researchers found that the HOXC13 gene has an inconsistent regulatory effect on different keratins in cashmere goats, with some keratins being up-regulated and others down-regulated during the anagen phase of hair growth. The study utilized various techniques such as RNA-seq, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescent staining to demonstrate these effects. Additionally, the study uncovered a negative-feedback mechanism for the regulation of HOXC13 itself and identified positive regulation by LEF1 and melatonin. Two SNPs in the HOXC13 gene were found to impair its regulatory function on keratins without affecting protein expression. These findings contribute to the understanding of hair follicle differentiation and the complex regulation of HOXC13.