Role of Csdc2 in Regulating Secondary Hair Follicle Growth in Cashmere Goats

The study investigates the role of the transcription factor Csdc2 in the growth of secondary hair follicles (SHFs) in cashmere goats, which produce valuable cashmere fiber. It was found that knocking down Csdc2 inhibits the proliferation of dermal papilla cells, and ChIP-Seq analysis identified a unique DNA binding motif for Csdc2 in SHFs. A total of 25 candidate target genes of Csdc2 were revealed, with a notable binding site within the roundabout guidance receptor 2 (Robo2) on chromosome 1. Further analysis confirmed Csdc2's positive regulatory influence on Robo2. These findings contribute to understanding hair follicle transcriptional regulatory networks and suggest potential molecular breeding strategies to enhance cashmere production.