Krtap19-5, the high glycine and tyrosine content keratin-associated protein 19-5 gene, is involved in the formation of sheep's wool. Wool, mainly composed of proteins with amino-acid sequence variation, has phenotypic variability, and understanding the genetic factors like Krtap19-5 is crucial for improving wool quality [1].

PCR-single strand confirmation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing of the whole coding sequence of Krtap19-5 in sheep revealed six sequence variants with seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Five SNPs were in the coding region, four of which could lead to amino-acid changes if expressed. In 247 Chinese Tan sheep from 10 sire-lines, one variant was associated with decreased curvature of fine wool fibres in the fleece, but no associations were found with other fibre traits or heterotypic hair fibres [1].

In conclusion, Krtap19-5 plays a role in determining the curvature of fine wool fibres in Chinese Tan sheep. These findings may be useful for developing gene markers to alter mean wool fibre curvature and improve sheep breeding, although many other genes and environmental factors also contribute to fibre trait variation [1].

References:

1. Bai, Lingrong, Zhou, Huitong, Li, Wenhao, Tao, Jinzhong, Hickford, Jon G H. 2024. Exploring Variation in Ovine KRTAP19-5 and Its Effect on Fine Wool Fibre Curvature in Chinese Tan Sheep. In Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 14, . doi:10.3390/ani14152155. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39123681/