Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the Wnt Gene Family in Donkey (Equus asinus): Phylogenetic Analysis and Expression Profiling

This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the Wnt gene family in donkeys, identifying 19 Wnt genes and highlighting their evolutionary conservation and functional diversification. The research found strong evolutionary conservation among mammals, particularly between donkeys and horses, and identified tissue-specific expression patterns, with Wnt3, Wnt5a, and Wnt4 showing higher expression in the testis, epididymis, and skin, respectively. These findings suggest potential roles in reproductive regulation and tissue homeostasis. The study also revealed that Wnt proteins have typical features of secreted signaling molecules, with variations in their physicochemical properties potentially influencing their stability and interactions. Despite conserved coding sequences, differences in expression patterns suggest regulatory divergence at the transcriptional level. The study emphasizes the need for further experimental validation to confirm the functional roles of Wnt genes in donkeys.