Discovery of genes and proteins possibly regulating mean wool fibre diameter using cDNA microarray and proteomic approaches

Wool fibre diameter (WFD) is one of the wool traits with higher economic impact. However, the main genes specifically regulating WFD remain unidentified. In this current work we have used Agilent Sheep Gene Expression Microarray and proteomic technology to investigate the gene expression patterns of body side skin, bearing more wool, in Aohan fine wool sheep, a Chinese indigenous breed, and compared them with that of small tail Han sheep, a sheep bread with coarse wool. Microarray analyses showed that most of the genes likely determining wool diameter could be classified into a few categories, including immune response, regulation of receptor binding and growth factor activity. Certain gene families might play a role in hair growth regulation. These include growth factors, immune cytokines, solute carrier families, cellular respiration and glucose transport amongst others. Proteomic analyses also identified scores of differentially expressed proteins.