Gene Expression Profiling Analysis Reveals Fur Development in Rex Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus)

The study investigated gene expression related to fur development in Chinchilla rex rabbits by comparing transcriptomes from back and belly tissues. It identified 336 genes with altered expression, with 285 upregulated and 51 downregulated. Key signaling pathways, such as Wnt and MAPK, were implicated in fur development, skin and hair follicle development, and cell differentiation. The study provided comprehensive gene expression data for genes like SFRP2, FRZB, CACNG1, SLC25A4, and SLC16A3. Validation of RNA-seq data through qRT-PCR confirmed the involvement of eight differentially expressed genes, enhancing understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind fur development.