Comparative Skin Transcriptomics Reveals Key Regulators of Cashmere Fiber Production in Inner Mongolian Goats

This study examines the molecular mechanisms of cashmere fiber production in Inner Mongolian goats by comparing their skin transcriptomes to those of normal goats using RNA sequencing. Researchers identified 1,543 differentially expressed genes related to hair follicle development, epidermal differentiation, and extracellular matrix organization. Key signaling pathways, such as Wnt, MAPK, and PI3K–Akt, were significantly involved, emphasizing their role in regulating secondary hair follicle activity. The study also highlights alternative splicing, particularly exon skipping, as a common regulatory mechanism in goat skin. These findings enhance the understanding of cashmere fiber formation and provide candidate genes for future research and breeding programs to improve fleece traits in cashmere goats.