Sheep IGFBP2 and IGFBP4 Promoter Methylation Regulates Gene Expression and Hair Follicle Development

This study investigated the role of promoter methylation of IGFBP2 and IGFBP4 genes in hair follicle development in Super Merino sheep, which affects wool fineness. It was found that IGFBP4 promoter methylation was significantly higher in sheep with thicker wool, and this methylation was negatively correlated with mRNA expression, suggesting that lower methylation levels are associated with finer wool. The study identified potential transcription factor binding sites in the promoter regions, indicating that factors like JUN, EP300, and SP1 may influence hair follicle development. The findings suggested that IGFBP4 promoter methylation could serve as an epigenetic marker for breeding sheep with finer wool.