Transcriptome Analysis of Improved Wool Production in Skin-Specific Transgenic Sheep Overexpressing Ovine β-Catenin

January 2019 in “ International journal of molecular sciences ”

Jiankui Wang, Kai Cui, Zujun Yang, Tun Li, Guoying Hua, Deping Han, Yanzhu Yao, Jianfei Chen, Xiaotian Deng, Xue Yang, Xuemei Deng

β-catenin Wnt pathway keratin protein genes hair follicle development transgenic sheep wool follicle density transcriptome analysis beta-catenin Wnt signaling pathway keratin genes hair follicle growth

Studysummary This study suggests that β-catenin plays an important role in wool follicle development in transgenic sheep by enhancing the expression of keratin protein genes.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

In the 2019 study, 9 out of 62 lambs born were confirmed to be transgenic sheep with overexpressed ovine β-catenin, which resulted in a 26.49% increase in clean fleece weight compared to nontransgenic siblings. The transgenic sheep also showed higher wool follicle density, although wool length and diameter were similar to nontransgenic sheep. Transcriptome analysis identified 113 differentially expressed genes, including upregulation of 11 keratin protein genes and β-catenin target genes, suggesting active Wnt pathway signaling. The study concluded that overexpression of β-catenin enhances wool production by increasing wool follicle density and altering distribution, providing a new model for studying wool follicle development and the Wnt pathway. Further research is needed to understand the specific mechanisms of β-catenin in hair follicle development.

View this study on mdpi.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

19 / 19 results

research A Homozygous Missense Variant in Type I Keratin KRT25 Causes Autosomal Recessive Woolly Hair

29 citations , July 2015 in “Journal of Medical Genetics”

This study identified a new gene involved in woolly hair by linking a homozygous variant in KRT25 to autosomal recessive woolly hair in two Pakistani families.

research Keratin 79 Identifies a Novel Population of Migratory Epithelial Cells That Initiates Hair Canal Morphogenesis and Regeneration

60 citations , November 2013 in “Development”

This study found that the creation of hair follicle lumens in mice is driven by the outward migration of keratin 79-positive cells, suggesting a novel mechanism for generating hollow cores in hair follicles.

research Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Ectodermal Precursor Cells Contribute to Hair Follicle Morphogenesis In Vivo

64 citations , January 2013 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study found that ectodermal precursor cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells may enhance hair follicle morphogenesis through improved epithelial-mesenchymal interactions when cocultured with dermal cells.

research Keratin 71 Mutations: From Water Dogs to Woolly Hair

11 citations , September 2012 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study identified a missense mutation in the keratin 71 gene as the cause of autosomal dominant woolly hair/hypotrichosis in a Japanese family, marking the first human mutation in KRT71 linked to a hair disorder.

research Damage of Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Alteration of Keratin Expression in External Radiation-Induced Acute Alopecia

28 citations , June 2012 in “International Journal of Molecular Medicine”

This study observed that while X-ray radiation did not alter major hair keratin composition in mice, it decreased hair follicle stem cell markers and increased Krt5, suggesting potential as a radiation biomarker.

research Paracrine TGF-β Signaling Counterbalances BMP-Mediated Repression in Hair Follicle Stem Cell Activation

321 citations , January 2012 in “Cell stem cell”

This study identified TGF-β2 as a crucial signal in hair follicle stem cell regeneration, highlighting its role in counteracting BMP signaling to promote tissue regeneration.

research Beta-Catenin Activity in the Dermal Papilla Regulates Morphogenesis and Regeneration of Hair

314 citations , April 2010 in “Developmental Cell”

This study found that in mice, inactivating beta-catenin in the dermal papilla reduces hair follicle progenitor proliferation and disrupts the hair cycle.

research Activation of Beta-Catenin Signaling Programs Embryonic Epidermis to Hair Follicle Fate

193 citations , May 2008 in “Development”

This study found that activating β-catenin signaling in embryonic epidermis promoted hair follicle characteristics at the expense of normal epidermal differentiation, leading to early pigmentation and innervation.

research K25 (K25irs1), K26 (K25irs2), K27 (K25irs3), And K28 (K25irs4) Represent The Type I Inner Root Sheath Keratins Of The Human Hair Follicle

93 citations , July 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study describes the expression patterns of type I inner root sheath keratin proteins K25–K28 in human hair follicles, highlighting their distinct distribution within different layers.

research Edar Signaling in the Control of Hair Follicle Development

71 citations , November 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

This review discusses the role of Edar signaling in hair follicle development and cycling, emphasizing its impact on cell fate, differentiation, and interactions with other pathways, but reports no new results.

research Transient Activation of Beta-Catenin Signaling in Adult Mouse Epidermis Induces New Hair Follicles, Continuous Activation Maintains Tumors

335 citations , March 2004 in “Development”

This study found that continuous β-catenin signaling in adult mouse epidermis can reprogram hair follicles to form benign tumors, which regress after the signaling is discontinued.

research Hair Follicle Stem Cells: Insights from the 2003 Workshop

142 citations , June 2003 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

This workshop overview concluded that follicular epithelial stem cells are multipotent and located in the bulge region of hair follicles, contributing to hair, epidermis, and sebaceous gland formation.

research Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Hair Follicle Development

854 citations , February 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of hair follicle formation and discusses potential future clinical applications for treating hair loss and skin tumors, but it reports no new clinical results.

research Trans-Species Hair Growth Induction by Human Hair Follicle Dermal Papillae

66 citations , August 2001 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study demonstrated that intact adult human dermal papillae can induce hair growth when implanted into mouse hair follicles, highlighting their potential for advancing hair follicle biology and therapeutic approaches.

research Morphogenesis and Renewal of Hair Follicles from Adult Multipotent Stem Cells

949 citations , January 2001 in “Cell”

This study demonstrated that multipotent stem cells in adult mice whisker follicles migrate to produce whisker growth, and that this process requires precise control of stem cell trafficking.

research Inhibition of BMP Signaling Affects Growth and Differentiation in the Anagen Hair Follicle

305 citations , December 2000 in “The EMBO Journal”

Inhibiting Bmp signaling disrupts hair growth and differentiation.

research Characterization of a Hair (Wool) Keratin Intermediate Filament Gene Domain

40 citations , February 1994 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research The Secret Life of the Hair Follicle

745 citations , February 1992 in “Trends in genetics”

This article describes the potential role of various growth factors and molecules in regulating mammalian hair follicle development but does not present new experimental results.

research Inductive Capacity of Irradiated Dermal Papillae

30 citations , February 1977 in “Nature”

This study found that high doses of irradiation can cause permanent hair loss in rats by destroying the epithelial elements of the hair follicle, while leaving the dermal papilla intact and capable of inducing new hair growth upon transplantation.