Long Noncoding RNA and Gene Expression Analysis of Melatonin-Exposed Liaoning Cashmere Goat Fibroblasts Indicating Cashmere Growth

The study explored the impact of melatonin on cashmere growth in Liaoning cashmere goat fibroblasts by examining the expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and genes. Treatment with 0.2 g/L melatonin for 72 hours was found to be the most effective, leading to the upregulation of a specific lncRNA, XLOC_005914 (LncRNA MTC), which promoted fibroblast proliferation and regulated hair follicle development through NF-kB signaling. The study identified 113 differentially expressed lncRNAs after melatonin treatment, with LncRNA MTC being a key regulator of fibroblast proliferation and cashmere growth-related gene expression. Overexpression of LncRNA MTC increased the expression of keratin-associated proteins and other hair growth-related genes, while its knockdown had the opposite effect. The study suggests that LncRNA MTC mediates melatonin's effects on hair growth and could be a target for enhancing cashmere yield and quality. The number of fibroblasts or animals used was not specified.