What is it about?
This study sequenced the coding regions of the KRT71 gene in 102 dromedary camels representing five hair-shape categories: straight, C-shaped, wavy, ringed, and kinky. We identified genetic variants in KRT71 and tested whether they could explain the observed differences in hair shape.
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Why is it important?
KRT71 is associated with curly or wavy hair in several other mammals, making it a strong candidate gene in camels. Seventeen polymorphisms were identified, including five within the coding region, but none fully explained the different hair-shape categories. This suggests that camel hair shape is likely influenced by additional genes or interactions among multiple variants.
Perspectives
A useful outcome of this study was ruling out a simple one-gene explanation for the major hair-shape categories we had previously characterized in dromedary camels. The variants identified here provide a starting point for broader genomic studies of this visible and potentially selectable trait.
Bader H. Alhajeri
Kuwait University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Sequencing KRT71 as a candidate gene for hair shape variation in dromedary camels, Kuwait Journal of Science, April 2025, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100364.
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