Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39871127›Full record

ArticleBMC genomics2025

Significance of KLK7 expression, polymorphisms, and function in sheep horn growth.

Mingzhu Shan, Hao Li, Xinyue Li, Guoqing Zhang, Jianxin Shi, Pingjie Feng, Lisheng Zhou, Zhangyuan Pan, Mingxing Chu

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC genomics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Mingzhu ShanState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100193, China.
Hao LiState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100193, China.
Xinyue LiState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100193, China.
Guoqing ZhangState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100193, China.
Jianxin ShiState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100193, China.
Pingjie FengState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100193, China.
Lisheng ZhouCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China. zls123668@qq.com.
Zhangyuan PanState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100193, China. zhypan01@163.com.
Mingxing ChuState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, 100193, China. chumingxing@caas.cn.

Funding

Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program of China CAAS-ZDRW202106China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA CARS-38National Key Research and Development Program of China 2022YFF1000103National Natural Science Foundation of China 31802031the National Key R&D Program Young Scientist 2023YFF1001800
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSheep horns play a critical role in the survival and reproduction of sheep. Research on sheep horns not only aids in comprehending their biological roles but is also vital for developing hornless breeds. Although previous studies have suggested that KLK7 may be associated with keratin growth, there are few studies that have focused on the role of KLK7 in sheep horns. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between KLK7 and sheep horns by analyzing the expression, genetic polymorphisms, and potential functions of KLK7 in sheep horns.

resultsThis study utilized RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data to analyze the expression levels of the KLK7 gene across different species, as well as among different breeds, tissue types, and genders in sheep. Potential functional sites of KLK7 were explored using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data. Allele specific expression sites in the KLK7 gene sequence were identified. Finally, the WGS data were linked with sheep horn length for association analysis, and significantly different single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected and validated by Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) genotyping.

conclusionOur results demonstrate that KLK7 was highly expressed in soft horn and skin tissues, and its expression was significantly higher in small-horned sheep than it was in large-horned sheep, suggesting that KLK7 may have an inhibitory effect on horn growth. By comparing the amino acid sequence of KLK7 with KLK7 sequences in other species, we discovered eight amino acids at specific positions in the KLK7 protein sequence that may have regulatory functions in determining the size of horns in ruminant animals. Thirteen SNPs with F-statistic value (Fst) > 0.15 were identified. By integrating RNA-Seq and WGS data, we discovered two SNPs (g.56695395 T > C and g.56695484A > C) with allele specific expression between the large- and small-horned sheep. The two SNPs were validated and were found to have significantly different (P < 0.05) effects on horn length. Our findings suggest a strong association between KLK7 and sheep horn length, indicating the potential role of KLK7 in inhibiting horn growth and providing novel insights into the functionality of KLK7.

Indexed as

HornsKallikreinsPolymorphism, Single NucleotideAllelesAnimalsFemaleMaleSheepKallikreinsKLK7RNA-SeqSheep hornSNPsTissue-specific

Identifiers

PMID39871127
PMCPMC11773881

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.