Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Variation in the KRTAP6-3 gene and its association with wool characteristics in Pakistani sheep breeds and breed-crosses

  • Regular Articles
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study investigated variation in the keratin-associated proteins gene, KRTAP6-3, in 5 Pakistani sheep breeds/crosses using polymerase chain reaction-single strand confirmation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis. Different banding patterns were revealed, including previously described patterns and a novel pattern (named variant H). The amplified PCR product of the novel banding pattern was directly sequenced, and a synonymous nucleotide variation c.51T>C was revealed. Among the wool traits assessed, a strong correlation (r = 0.929; P < 0.001) was observed between fibre diameter standard deviation (FDSD) and coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CVFD), between FDSD and medullation (r = 0.720; P < 0.001), between FDSD and medullation standard deviation (MeSD) (r = 0.734; P < 0.001), between MeSD and coefficient of variance of medullation (CVMed), (r = 0.903, P < 0.001), and between CVFD and medullation (r = 0.660), CVFD and MeSD (r = 0.786; P < 0.001), CVFD and CVMed (r = 0.701; P < 0.001) and medullation and MeSD (r = 0.771; P < 0.001). Variant B was found to be associated (P = 0.018) with CVFD; the presence of B being associated with a higher CVFD, than in its absence (41.08 ± 3.98 versus 36.34 ± 3.08). Variant C was associated with CVMed (P = 0.040), where sheep with C had a lower CVMed than sheep where it was absent. Variation in KRTAP6-3 was found to affect fibre diameter related traits of wool.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmad, S., Jalil, A., Pervaiz, U. and Khan, H., 2009. Morphological characterization of Kutta - the native sheep breed from Northern Pakistan. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture 25, 279–284.

  • Bai, L., Gong H., Zhou, H., Tao, J. and Hickford, J. G. H., 2018. A nucleotide substitution in the ovine KAP20-2 gene leads to a premature stop codon that affects wool fibre curvature. Animal Genetics, 49, 357–358.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bai, L., Wang, J., Zhou, H., Gong, H., Tao, J. and Hickford, J. G., 2019. Identification of ovine KRTAP28-1 and its association with wool fibre diameter. Animals 9, 142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byun, S.O., Fang, Q., Zhou, H. and Hickford, J. G. H., 2009. An effective method for silver-staining DNA in large numbers of polyacrylamide gels. Analytical Biochemistry 385, 174–175.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duan, J., Wainwright, M. S., Comeron, J. M., Saitou, N., Sanders, AR., Gelernter, J. and Gejman, P. V., 2003. Synonymous mutations in the human dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) affect mRNA stability and synthesis of the receptor. Human Molecular Genetics 12, 205–216.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galbraith, H., 2000. Protein and Sulphur amino acid nutrition of hair fibre-producing Angora and Cashmere goats. Livestock Production Science 64, 81–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallivan, J. P. and Dougherty, D. A., 1999. Cation-π interactions in structural biology. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. USA 96, 9459–9464.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gillespie, J. M., 1990. The proteins of hair and other hard α-keratins: Cellular and Molecular Biology of Intermediate Filaments (ed.). Goldman R.D. and Steinert. P.M. Springer, Boston, MA. pp. 95–128.

  • Gong, H., Zhou, H. and Hickford, J. G. H., 2011. Diversity of the glycine/tyrosine-rich keratin-associated protein 6 gene (KAP6) family in sheep. Molecular Biology Reports 38, 31–35.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gong, H., Zhou, H., Dyer, J. and Hickford, J. G. H., 2014. The sheep KAP 8-2 gene, a new KAP8 family member that is absent in humans. Springer Plus 3, 528.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gong, H., Zhou, H., Hodge, S., Dyer, J. M. and Hickford, J. G., 2015. Association of wool traits with variation in the ovine KAP1-2 gene in Merino cross lambs. Small Ruminant Research 124, 24–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gong, H., Zhou, H., Forrest, R. H. J., Li, S., Wang, J., Dyer, J. M., Luo, Y. and Hickford, J. G., 2016. Wool keratin-associated protein genes in sheep – A review. Genes 7, 24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gong, H., Zhou, H., Bai, L., Li, W., Li, S., Wang, J., Luo, Y. and Hickford, J. G. H. 2019. Associations between variation in the ovine high glycine-tyrosine keratin-associated protein gene KRTAP20-1 and wool traits. Journal of Animal Sciences 97, 587–595.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasnain, H., 1985. Sheep and goats in Pakistan. Food and Agriculture Oranisation, Rome, Italy.

  • Huisman, A. E. and Brown, D. J., 2009. Genetic parameters for bodyweight, wool, and disease resistance and reproduction traits in Merino sheep. 4. Genetic relationships between and within wool traits. Animal Production Science 49, 289–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • IWTO., 1998. Specification IWTO-47-98. Measurement of the mean and distribution of fiber diameter of wool using an Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser (OFDA). International Wool Textile Organisation.

    Google Scholar 

  • IWTO., 2000. IWTO-57-2000. Determination of medullated fibre content of wool and mohair samples by opacity measurements using an OFDA. Brussels (Belgium). International Wool Textile Organization.

  • IWTO., 2007. IWTO 30-2007. Determination of staple length and staple strength. Brussels (Belgium): International Wool Textile Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan, M. F., Ahmad, W. and Khan, M. S., 1994. Study of some important characteristics of wool from certain well-known sheep breeds in Pakistan. Proceedings of the Regional Seminar on Small Ruminants, Islamabad, pp 97–103.

  • Khan, M. F., Rafique, M. and Ashfaq, F., 2007. Study of some important wool characteristics of selected sheep breeds in Pakistan. Proceedings of National Seminar on Sheep and Wool in Pakistan p. 44.

  • Khan, M. S., Ahmad, S., Khan, M. S. and Zeb, M. T., 2014. Hormonal profile of Kari ewes with variable gestation length. Pakistan Veterinary Journal 34, 548–550.

  • Leach, R., 2013. Wool quality and rumen-protected Lysine in merino ewes during late pregnancy and early lactation. (PhD Thesis, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Australia).

  • Li, S.W., Ouyang, H.S., Rogers, G.E. and Bawden, C.S., 2009. Characterization of the structural and molecular defects in fibres and follicles of the merino felting lustre mutant. Experimental Dermatology. 18, 134–142.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, S., Zhou, H., Gong, H., Zhao, F., Wang, J., Liu, X., Luo, Y. and Hickford, J. G. H., 2017a. Identification of the ovine keratin-associated protein 22-1 (KAP22-1) gene and its effect on wool traits. Genes 8, 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, S., Zhou, H., Gong, H., Zhao, F., Wang, J., Luo, Y. and Hickford, J. G., 2017b. Variation in the ovine KAP6-3 gene (KRTAP6-3) is associated with variation in mean fibre diameter-associated wool traits. Genes 8, 204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, S., Zhou, H., Gong, H., Zhao, Z., Hu, J., Luo, Y. and Hickford, J. G. H., 2017c. Identification of the ovine keratin-associated protein 26-1 (KAP26-1) gene and its association with variation in wool traits. Genes 8, 225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, S. M. and Masters, D. G., 2003. Amino acid utilization for wool production: Amino acids in animal nutrition, (ed. D’Mello JPF), (2nd ed.). CAB International, Wallingford, UK. pp 309–328.

  • Marston, H. R., 1955. Progress in the Physiology of Farm Animals (ed. Hammond J.) Vol. 2 Chapter. 11. Butterworths Scientific Publications, London.

  • NZS. 8716, 1994. Measurement of the bulk of raw wool. Wellington: Standards Association of New Zealand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parry, D. A. and Steinert, P. M., 1992. Intermediate filament structure. Current Opinion Cell Biology 4, 94–98.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pickering, F. S. and Reis, P. J. 1993. Effects of abomasal supplements of methionine on wool growth of grazing sheep. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 33, 7–12.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Powell, B. C. and Beltrame, J. S., 1994. Characterization of a hair (wool) keratin intermediate filament gene domain. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 102, 171–177.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Powell, B. A. and Rogers, G. E., 1997. The role of keratin proteins and their genes in the growth, structure and properties of hair. Experientia Suplementum 78, 59–148.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reis, P. J. and Schinckel, P. G., 1963. Some effects of Sulphur-containing amino acids on the growth and composition of wool. Australian Journal of Biological Science 16, 218–230.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, M. A. and Schweizer, J., 2005. Human KAP genes, only the half of it? Extensive size polymorphisms in hair keratin-associated protein genes. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 124, 7–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, M. A., Winter, H., Langbein, L., Wollschläger, A., Praetzel-Wunder, S., Jave-Suarez, L. F. and Schweizer, J., 2007. Characterization of human KAP24.1, a cuticular hair keratin-associated protein with unusual amino-acid composition and repeat structure. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 127, 1197–1204.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Safari, E., Fogarty, N., Gilmour, A., Atkins, K., Mortimer, S., Swan, A., Brien, F., Greeff, J. and Van-Der Werf, J., 2007. Genetic correlations among and between wool, growth and reproduction traits in Merino sheep. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 124, 65–72.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strnad, P., Windoffer, R. and Leube, R. E., 2002. Induction of rapid and reversible cytokeratin filament network remodelling by inhibition of tyrosine phosphatases. Journal of Cell Science 115, 4133–4148.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ullah, F., Khan, M. F. U., Khan, M. H. and Jamal, S. M., 2019. Factors affecting mean fiber diameter in selected Pakistani sheep breeds/crosses. Journal of Natural Fibers. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2019.1658259. (in press)

  • Ullah, F., Jamal, S. M., Ekegbu, U. J., Haruna, I. L., Zhou, H. and Hickford, J. G., 2020 Polymorphism in ovine keratine-associated protein gene KRTAP 7-1 and its association with wool characteristics. Journal of Animal Sciences 98, 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wuliji, T., Dodds, K., Land, J., Andrews, R. and Turner, P., 2001. Selection for ultrafine Merino sheep in New Zealand: heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlations of live weight, fleece weight and wool characteristics in yearlings. Animal Science 72, 241–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, H., Hickford, J. G. and Fang, Q., 2006. A two-step procedure for extracting genomic DNA from dried blood spots on filter paper for polymerase chain reaction amplification. Analytical Biochemistry. 354, 159–161.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, H., Gong, H., Li, S., Luo, Y. and Hickford, J. G. H., 2015. A 57-bp deletion in the ovine KAP6-1 gene affects wool fibre diameter. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 132, 301–307.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, H., Gong, H., Wang, J., Dyer, J. M., Luo, Y. and Hickford, J. G. H., 2016. Identification of four new gene members of the KAP6 gene family in sheep. Scientific Reports 6, 24074.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was in part supported by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad, Pakistan under grant No. 20-3370/NRPU/R&D/HEC 2014/455, to SMJ and the HEC’s International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP) grant No. 1-8/HEC//HRD/2017/8208 to FU for 6-month work at the Gene-Marker Laboratory, Lincoln University, New Zealand.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Dir (L), 18800, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

    Farman Ullah & Syed M. Jamal

  2. Gene-Marker Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, 7647, New Zealand

    Huitong Zhou & Jon G. H. Hickford

Authors
  1. Farman Ullah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Syed M. Jamal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Huitong Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jon G. H. Hickford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Syed M. Jamal.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standards

The manuscript does not contain clinical studies or patient data.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ullah, F., Jamal, S.M., Zhou, H. et al. Variation in the KRTAP6-3 gene and its association with wool characteristics in Pakistani sheep breeds and breed-crosses. Trop Anim Health Prod 52, 3035–3043 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02322-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02322-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation