Molecular Cloning and Characterization Analysis of LEF-1 Gene from Inner Mongolia Cashmere Goat

The study focused on the molecular cloning and characterization of the LEF-1 gene from the Inner Mongolia Cashmere Goat, aiming to enhance cashmere production through genetic modification. LEF-1, part of the LEF-1/TCF family, plays a crucial role in hair differentiation via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Researchers successfully amplified the LEF-1 cDNA, revealing a 1132 bp fragment with an open reading frame of 1116 bp, encoding a 371 amino acid polypeptide. The sequence showed high similarity to bovine (98%) and human (94%) sequences, with a predicted molecular mass of 41.2 kDa. The study identified key domains, including the HMG-box and β-catenin binding domain, using bioinformatics tools, marking the first report of its kind for this gene in cashmere goats.