Comparative Skin Transcriptomics Reveals Key Regulators of Cashmere Fiber Production in Inner Mongolian Goats

This study investigates the molecular mechanisms behind cashmere fiber production in Inner Mongolian goats by comparing the skin transcriptomes of cashmere and normal goats. Researchers identified 1,543 differentially expressed genes related to hair follicle morphogenesis, epidermal differentiation, and cell proliferation. Key signaling pathways, such as Wnt, MAPK, and PI3K–Akt, were significantly involved, with notable regulators like FGF5, SOX9, LHX2, and VDR showing differential expression. The study found that fleece phenotype drives global gene expression variation, and alternative splicing, particularly exon skipping, is prevalent in goat skin. These findings provide insights into the genetic and molecular basis of cashmere fiber production, suggesting potential targets for breeding and functional validation.