Identification of Key Modules and Hub Genes Involved in Regulating the Feather Follicle Development of Wannan Chickens Using WGCNA

This study aimed to identify key genes and modules involved in feather follicle development in Wannan chickens using 16 transcriptome datasets and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). A total of 5,025, 2,337, and 10,623 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified across three developmental stages. The analysis revealed 31 co-expression gene modules, with the dark-orange, cyan, and blue modules significantly associated with feather follicle development. Notably, 6 and 336 hub genes in the cyan and blue modules overlapped with DEGs, including LAMC2, COL6A3, COL6A2, WNT7A, and WNT9B, which were enriched in pathways like focal adhesion and ECM-receptor interaction. These findings suggest these genes play crucial roles in feather follicle development, providing insights for molecular breeding to enhance carcass appearance traits in chickens.