Transcriptional Characteristics Show That miR-144-y/FOXO3 Participates in Embryonic Skin and Feather Follicle Development in Zhedong White Goose

The study investigated the transcriptional characteristics involved in the development of skin and feather follicles in Zhedong White geese using transcriptome and next-generation sequencing analyses. It identified 8,276 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across four embryonic stages, with significant involvement in pathways like Wnt signaling and cell cycle processes. The study highlighted the antagonistic relationship between miR-144-y and FOXO3, with a strong negative correlation coefficient of -0.948, confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assays. These findings provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of feather and skin development, potentially informing breeding practices for these geese.