Drivers of Plateau Adaptability in Cashmere Goats Revealed by Genomic and Transcriptomic Analyses

    August 2023 in “ BMC genomics ”
    Chunli Wu, Shengchao Ma, Bi Zhao, Chongkai Qin, Yaoyao Wu, Jiang Di, Langda Suo, Xuefeng Fu
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    Studysummary This study found that Tibetan cashmere goats have genetic adaptations that contribute to their finer cashmere, possibly enhancing their ability to withstand the cold climate of the Tibetan plateau, while identifying specific genes related to hair growth, pigmentation, and heart development. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
    The study "Drivers of plateau adaptability in cashmere goats revealed by genomic and transcriptomic analyses" analyzed the genomes of 32 Jiangnan and 32 Tibetan cashmere goats. Significant differences were found in the genome structure of the two breeds, with 553 potential selected genes (PSGs) identified in Jiangnan goats and 608 PSGs in Tibetan goats. These genes were linked to various traits including hair growth and myocardial development. Tibetan cashmere goats, adapted to the cold Tibetan plateau, had finer cashmere and lower expression of KRTs and KAPs genes, which may determine cashmere fineness, than Jiangnan goats. The study also identified several genes associated with adaptation to extreme climates. The findings provide a reference for further studies on plateau adaptation in animals and goat breeding.
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