Skin Regional Specification And Higher-Order HoxC Regulation

The study explores the molecular mechanisms of skin regional specification in chickens, focusing on the HoxC gene cluster's role in feather morphology. It highlights a 195-bp duplication in the HoxC10 intron of Polish chickens, which disrupts topologically associating domains (TADs) and increases HoxC expression, leading to unique feather patterns. CRISPR-Cas9 deletion of this sequence reduces crest feather formation, underscoring its regulatory role. The research suggests that HoxC regulation is crucial for adaptive evolution in birds, with the 195-bp sequence being specific to Archelosauria, indicating its evolutionary significance in avian feather patterning.