Transcriptomes Reveal MicroRNAs and MRNAs in Different Photoperiods Influencing Cashmere Growth in Goat

The study explored how different photoperiods affect cashmere growth in Inner Mongolia Arbas cashmere goats by analyzing skin samples under short and long photoperiod conditions. Using RNA sequencing, researchers identified 56 significantly differentially expressed mRNAs and 14 microRNAs, with particular focus on miR-107 and miR-30, which may regulate the hair follicle cycle. The study processed 18 samples, with an average of 23,800,647 clean reads per sample, and found that the prolactin signaling pathway is closely related to increased cashmere growth under light control. The high expression of the RHBDF2 gene was found to promote hair follicle growth, while ALDH3A2 overexpression may inhibit it. The study concludes that short photoperiods can enhance cashmere growth through a complex interplay of genes and cytokines, with miRNAs significantly regulating gene expression, providing a theoretical basis for using light control technology to boost cashmere production.