Krtap6-1, a member of the KRTAP6 gene family, is a gene encoding high glycine-tyrosine keratin-associated proteins (HGT-KAPs). HGT-KAPs are structural components of wool fibers and are thought to play a role in regulating the physical and mechanical properties of these fibers [2,3,4,5].

In sheep, variation in Krtap6-1 affects wool fiber diameter-associated traits. For example, in New Zealand Romney ewes, the presence of certain variants (like A) was associated with reduced mean fiber diameter (MFD) and increased coefficient of variation in fiber diameter (CVFD), while the presence of variant B had a trend of association with decreased coarse edge measurement (CEM) [1]. A 57-bp deletion in the ovine Krtap6-1 gene was found to be associated with an increase in MFD, fiber diameter standard deviation (FDSD), coefficient of variation of fiber diameter (CVFD) and prickle factor (PF), suggesting that this deletion leads to coarser wool [4]. Also, in Gansu Alpine fine-wool sheep, Krtap6-1 mRNA expression was negatively correlated with wool MFD and mean staple strength (MSS) [2].

In conclusion, Krtap6-1 plays a crucial role in regulating wool fiber properties, especially those related to fiber diameter, in sheep. Understanding the function of Krtap6-1 through these in-vivo studies in sheep can potentially provide insights into improving wool-related traits in the sheep breeding industry [1,2,4].

References:

1. Li, Wenhao, Gong, Hua, Zhou, Huitong, Luo, Yuzhu, Hickford, Jon G H. 2019. Variation in KRTAP6-1 affects wool fibre diameter in New Zealand Romney ewes. In Archives animal breeding, 62, 509-515. doi:10.5194/aab-62-509-2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31807662/

2. Sun, Hongxian, He, Zhaohua, Zhao, Fangfang, Luo, Yuzhu, Li, Shaobin. 2024. Spatiotemporal Expression Characterization of KRTAP6 Family Genes and Its Effect on Wool Traits. In Genes, 15, . doi:10.3390/genes15010095. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38254984/

3. Zhou, Huitong, Gong, Hua, Wang, Jiqing, Luo, Yuzhu, Hickford, Jon G H. 2016. Identification of four new gene members of the KAP6 gene family in sheep. In Scientific reports, 6, 24074. doi:10.1038/srep24074. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27045687/

4. Zhou, H, Gong, H, Li, S, Luo, Y, Hickford, J G H. 2015. A 57-bp deletion in the ovine KAP6-1 gene affects wool fibre diameter. In Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie, 132, 301-7. doi:10.1111/jbg.12138. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25782086/

5. Gong, Hua, Zhou, Huitong, Dyer, Jolon M, Hickford, Jon Gh. 2014. The sheep KAP8-2 gene, a new KAP8 family member that is absent in humans. In SpringerPlus, 3, 528. doi:10.1186/2193-1801-3-528. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25279319/