Characterization of BMP2 gene expression in embryonic and adult Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat (Capra hircus) hair follicles

Abstract

Mammalian skin consists of thousands of hair follicles, each undergoing continuous regenerative cycling including anagen, catagen and telogen. Hair follicle morphogenesis results in the appearance of fur in animals. Increasing evidence suggests that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) play an important role in the induction and progression to various stages of the hair follicle cycle. In this study, BMP2 mRNA expression level was investigated from different phases using real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and localized with in situ hybridization in adult Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat. qRT-PCR revealed that the expression of BMP2 in early anagen was 27.8 times greater than expression during late anagen phase. The in situ hybridization detected BMP2 expressed at days 75 and 115 in both primary and secondary hair follicles during the embryonic period. Further, BMP 2 was expressed in primary hair follicles in late telogen and in secondary hair follicles in early anagen in adult goat. However, it was found to be absent in both primary and secondary hair follicle in late anagen in the adult goat. BMP2 expression was found to be higher in late telogen and early anagen phases and lower in late anagen in the goat’s skin and hair follicle, suggesting that it may have a role in the regeneration of hair follicle.Key words: BMP2, expression, Cashmere goat, hair follicle, in situ hybridization, real-time PCR