# Construction of a Candidate Differentially Expressed Transcript Profile Associated with the Hair Follicle Cycle in Jiangnan Cashmere Goats (Capra hircus)

## TL;DR

This study identifies gene expression patterns linked to hair follicle cycles in cashmere goats, focusing on fat-related genes and alternative splicing.

## Contribution

A novel candidate differentially expressed transcript profile is constructed, linking fat metabolism and splicing dynamics to hair follicle cycle regulation in cashmere goats.

## Key findings

- Transcripts related to fat synthesis and metabolism show stage-specific expression during hair follicle cycles.
- Dynamic alternative splicing patterns may regulate transitions between hair follicle stages.
- The DET profile offers potential targets for improving cashmere traits through genetic breeding.

## Abstract

This study utilized Nanopore sequencing technology to analyze the transcriptomic data of skin tissues from Jiangnan cashmere goats during the anagen, catagen, and telogen stages of hair follicles. Through the analysis of differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) and alternative splicing (AS) events, we revealed the association between the expression dynamics of candidate DETs and the hair follicle cycle. The results demonstrated that a large number of transcripts related to fat synthesis, storage, or metabolism exhibit stage-specific expression patterns, and their dynamic changes are closely linked to the periodic fluctuations in intradermal fat deposition. Simultaneously, dynamic alterations in alternative splicing patterns may play a potential role in regulating the hair follicle cycle. The candidate DET profile established in this study provides new insights into deciphering the complex molecular regulatory mechanisms of the hair follicle cycle and offers potential targets for the genetic improvement and molecular breeding of cashmere goat traits.

Dynamic changes in gene and transcript expression represent a key factor in regulating the cyclical development of hair follicles. In this study, based on Nanopore sequencing (ONT-seq) data of skin tissue from three developmental stages (anagen (An), catagen (Cn), and telogen (Tn)) of Jiangnan cashmere goat hair follicles, this study presents a profile of candidate DETs implicated in cycle regulation by delineating their stage-specific expression patterns and dynamic expression trends from anagen to telogen. A large proportion of the candidate DETs were significantly enriched in functions related to fat synthesis, storage, or metabolism, with significance levels of p < 0.05 or p < 0.01. These significantly enriched DETs, which were generally upregulated from An to Cn or downregulated from Cn to Tn, support a model where accelerated intradermal fat deposition promotes the progression from An to Cn, while its subsequent decrease facilitates the transition from Cn to Tn. Concurrently, our results also suggest a potential role for dynamic changes in AS patterns in regulating the hair follicle cycle. This regulatory role of AS patterns is potentially mediated through affecting genes related to lipid synthesis/metabolism or cell structure/interaction. Notably, a broader range of fat synthesis, storage, or metabolism-related transcripts showed significant differential expression (p < 0.05) in the An vs. Cn group. Ultimately, by establishing this candidate DET profile, we aim to provide fresh perspectives for deciphering the complex molecular regulation of the hair follicle cycle and to identify new targets for genetically enhancing or molecularly breeding cashmere traits in cashmere goats.