Integrative Analysis of Iso-Seq and RNA-Seq Data Reveals Transcriptome Complexity and Differential Isoform in Skin Tissues of Different Hair Length Yak

The study explores the genetic mechanisms behind hair length differences in Tianzhu white yaks using Iso-seq and RNA-seq methods, analyzing skin tissues from 10 long-haired yaks (LHY) and 9 normal-haired yaks (NHY). Significant differences in hair length were observed, with LHY having about twice the hair length of NHY. The research identified 9,845 novel genes and 66,989 isoforms, revealing transcriptome complexity and differential isoforms (DEIs) related to hair follicle and skin development. Key genes such as BMP4, KRT2, IGF2R, and COL1A2 were linked to hair growth, with pathways like ECM-receptor interaction and PI3K-Akt signaling being significant. The study also found numerous novel long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and alternative splicing events, suggesting their roles in hair growth regulation. Validation through PCR and qPCR confirmed the sequencing results, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of hair length variation in yaks.