A Review: Keratin-Related Protein Genes Affecting Wool Traits in Sheep

Abstract

The value of sheep fleece has inspired extensive research into its structure and genetics from the past to the present.Keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) are the most important structural components of fleece fibres.The determination of expression, regulation, and characterization of these protein genes has been rapidly advanced by molecular advances. In this review, the potential relationship between genetic variation in KAP genes and fibre traits was examined and the use of KAP genes as a marker for selection in sheep breeding to produce higher-quality fleece was evaluated.The present study aims to provide a review of the literature on the KAP genes related to the breeding of sheep breeds with high-quality fleece yield and quality fleece production in the last decade.In this way, it is aimed to draw attention to the genotypic importance of these gene families.