Spatiotemporal Expression and Haplotypes Identification of KRT84 Gene and Their Association with Wool Traits in Gansu Alpine Fine-Wool Sheep

The study on 225 Gansu Alpine Fine-wool sheep examined the KRT84 gene's expression and genetic variation to understand its impact on wool traits. Immunofluorescence showed high KRT84 expression in hair follicles from birth to 270 days. Three SNPs were identified, and statistical analyses linked different KRT84 haplotypes to key wool traits like mean fiber diameter, fiber diameter standard deviation, and mean staple length. The H1H1 diplotype was associated with better wool quality traits compared to the H3H3 diplotype. These findings suggest KRT84 as a potential genetic marker for improving wool quality in breeding programs. Further research is needed to explore KRT84's role in wool development.