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SHCBP1 (Shc SH2-domain binding protein 1) is a member of the Src and collagen homolog (Shc) protein family and is closely associated with multiple signaling pathways that play important roles during hair follicle induction, morphogenesis, and cycling. The purpose of this study was to investigate SHCBP1 gene expression, polymorphisms, and the association between SHCBP1 and wool quality traits in Chinese Merino sheep. The SHCBP1 gene was shown, by qPCR, to be ubiquitously expressed in sheep tissues and differentially expressed in the adult skin of Chinese Merino and Suffolk sheep. Four SNPs (termed SHCBP1SNPs 1–4) were identified by Sanger sequencing and were located in exon 2, intron 9, intron 12, and exon 13 of the sheep SHCBP1 gene, respectively. SHCBP1SNPs 3 and 4 (rs411176240 and rs160910635) were significantly associated with wool crimp (P < 0.05). The combined polymorphism (SHCBP1SNP3-SHCBP1SNP4) was significantly associated with wool crimp (P < 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis showed that the SNPs associated with wool crimp (SHCBP1SNPs 3 and 4) might affect the pre-mRNA splicing by creating binding sites for serine–arginine-rich proteins and that SHCBP1SNP4 might alter the SHCBP1 mRNA and protein secondary structure. Our results suggest that SHCBP1 influences wool crimp and SHCBP1SNPs 3 and 4 might be useful markers for marker-assisted selection and sheep breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Follistatin (FST) is involved in hair follicle morphogenesis. However, its effects on hair traits are not clear. This study was designed to investigate the effects of FST gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on wool quality traits in Chinese Merino sheep (Junken Type). We performed gene expression analysis, SNP detection, and association analysis of FST gene with sheep wool quality traits. The real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that FST gene was differentially expressed in adult skin between Chinese Merino sheep (Junken Type) and Suffolk sheep. Immunostaining showed that FST was localized in inner root sheath (IRS) and matrix of hair follicle (HF) in both SF and Suffolk sheep. Sequencing analysis identified a total of seven SNPs (termed SNPs 1–7) in the FST gene in Chinese Merino sheep (Junken Type). Association analysis showed that SNP2 (Chr 16. 25,633,662 G>A) was significantly associated with average wool fiber diameter, wool fineness SD, and wool crimp (P < 0.05). SNP4 (Chr 16. 25,633,569 C>T) was significantly associated with wool fineness SD and CV of fiber diameter (P < 0.05). Similarly, the haplotypes derived from these seven identified SNPs were also significantly associated with average wool fiber diameter, wool fineness SD, CV of fiber diameter, and wool crimp (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that FST influences wool quality traits and its SNPs 2 and 4 might be useful markers for marker-assisted selection and sheep breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]