Integrated Multiomics Analysis Reveals the Molecular Features and Crucial Regulators of Hair Follicles in Yak (Bos Grunniens)

January 2026 in “ Communications Biology ”

Ke Zhang, Luyao Zhang, Xiang Qin, Yi-Wen Zhang, Wen-Jie Xie, Rui-Dong Wan, You-Gui Fang, Qi-en Yang

hair follicle dermal papilla cells WNT signaling pathway WNT/β-Catenin autophagy SOX4 WNT1 WNT3A cell cycle progression

TLDR Yak hair follicles adapt to cold through specific gene regulation, enhancing cell growth.

This study constructs a single-cell atlas of hair follicle cells from yak and taurine cattle to explore the genetic basis of hair follicle structure and growth, crucial for cold adaptation in yaks. Among 14 identified cell types, dermal papilla (DP) cells show significant differences, with genes in the WNT signaling pathway being differentially expressed in yaks. Experiments demonstrate that manipulating WNT/β-Catenin affects cell cycle progression and autophagy in DP cells. SOX4 is found to be directly associated with WNT1 and WNT3A promoters, and increased autophagy regulates SOX4/WNT/β-Catenin expression, promoting DP cell proliferation in yaks. These findings provide insights into the molecular features of coat adaptation in extreme environments.

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