Combination of Transcriptomics and Proteomics Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes and Proteins in the Skin of EDAR Gene-Targeted and Wildtype Cashmere Goats

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The hair follicles of Cashmere goats can be divided into primary and secondary types owing to their occurrence time and structural characteristics. They show periodic growth, which includes three stages: anagen, catagen, and telogen. In the research on animal hair follicle growth and development, Cashmere goats serve as an important animal model. The EDAR gene, which targets Cashmere goats, has the phenotypic characteristics of abnormal hair growth and development at the top of the head. In this study, 732 and 140 differentially expressed genes and proteins, respectively, were identified using transcriptomic and proteomic techniques, providing important baseline data for understanding the mechanism of EDAR gene regulation in hair follicle growth and development. ABSTRACT: Cashmere goats play a pivotal role in the animal hair industry and are economically valuable. Cashmere is produced through the periodic growth of secondary hair follicles. To improve their yield of cashmere, the regulatory mechanisms of cashmere follicle growth and development need to be analysed. Therefore, in this study, EDAR gene-targeted cashmere goats were used as an animal model to observe the phenotypic characteristics of abnormal hair growth and development at the top of the head. Transcriptomic and proteomic techniques were used to screen for differentially expressed genes and proteins. In total, 732 differentially expressed genes were identified, including 395 upregulated and 337 downregulated genes. In addition, 140 differentially expressed proteins were identified, including 69 upregulated and 71 downregulated proteins. These results provide a research target for elucidating the mechanism through which EDAR regulates hair follicle growth in cashmere goats. It also enriches the available data on the regulatory network involved in hair follicle growth.