Identification and Analysis of Alternative Splicing of mRNA Related to Different Growth Stages of Cashmere Goat Hair Follicles Based on RNA Sequencing Technology
Alternative splicing(AS)plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally.To explore key alternative splicing events linked to the cyclical growth of cashmere goat hair follicles,the skin transcriptome data of different growth stages were compared and analyzed.The results showed that 1 615,1 667,1 387 and 1 522 differen-tial alternative splicing were identified in transition periods Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ,respectively,corresponding to 1 202,1 268,1 073 and 1 170 genes.These genes were predominantly enriched in signaling pathways such as Notch,Hedge-hog,mTOR,AMPK,PI3K-Akt,Wnt,TGF-β,all known to be related to hair follicle development.Protein interaction network analysis coupled with enrichment analysis showed that alternative splicing produced by genes such as Ctnnb1,Gsk3b,Tgfbr1,Vegfa,Gli1 may contribute to the regulation of hair follicle cycle growth.In summary,alternative splic-ing is prevalent during the cyclical growth of cashmere goat hair follicles,with notable differences across developmen-tal stages.The key differentially alternative splicing genes and their related signaling pathways were identified,which provided valuable insights into the cycle growth and development of hair follicles in cashmere goats.