@conference {69509,
	title = {Identification of novel wool keratin intermediate filament genes in sheep skin},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {70},
	year = {2010},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {222-228},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {Keratin intermediate filament (KIF) genes encode key proteins for hair and wool formation. A total of 17 expressed human KIF genes involved in hair formation are annotated. However, to date, only eight wool KIF genes have been reported. In this study, six new cDNA sequences (KRT32, KRT33B, KRT34, KRT39, KRT40 and KRT82) representing previously unreported wool KIFs were identified using a contiguous ovine sequence library constructed primarily from ESTs. The expression of three other KIF genes (KRT36, KRT84 and KRT87) was confirmed by PCR using sheep skin total RNA. The analogue of human KRT37 (type I) was unable to be identified, while KRT87 (type II) was present in sheep but not in humans. Therefore 10 type I and seven type II KIF family members have been identified in sheep in comparison to 11 and six KIFs in the human. These 17 KIF genes are likely to represent the complete or near-complete set involved in wool formation. The annotation of these genes will facilitate investigation into their patterns of expression in wool follicles and their roles in the determination of fibre attributes.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Yu Z-D and Gordon SW and Wildermoth JE and Wallace OAM and Nixon AJ and Pearson AJ}
}
@conference {41784,
	title = {Gene expression profiling of wool follicle growth cycles by cDNA microarray},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {68},
	year = {2008},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {39-42},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Brisbane, Australia},
	abstract = {Wool growth in Wiltshire sheep was synchronised by daylength manipulation to allow identification of genes that are regulated during transitions in the wool follicle cycle. Pair-wise comparisons between growing and resting phases were conducted using both direct and indirect cDNA microarray analysis. The two approaches were well correlated at three different levels: overall similar patterns of gene expression, detection of changes in keratin gene expression, and reduced differential expression between closer cycle stages. Using more slides, the indirect approach identified more expressed sequence tags (ESTs) (indirect 1132, direct 444), and had higher coverage of wool keratins (indirect 78\%, direct 42\%). This study demonstrates the usefulness of cDNA microarray for expression profiling in whole skin. Further characterisation of genes identified by this work, particularly the smaller sets of ESTs derived from comparisons at early stages of follicle regression and regrowth, would improve our understanding and provide leads for alternative wool harvesting technology or enhancing wool growth. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Yu Z-D and Gordon SW and Pearson AJ and Henderson HV and Craven AJ and Nixon AJ}
}
@conference {42004,
	title = {Expression of keratin intermediate filament genes in wool follicles of wiltshire sheep},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {67},
	year = {2007},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {332-338},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Wanaka},
	abstract = {Co-ordinated expression of keratin intermediate filament genes in the wool follicle is essential for the formation of the wool fibre. The expression patterns of three acidic (oKRT31, oKRT35, oKRT38), one neutral-basic (oKRT85) and one acidic inner rootsheath keratin (oKRT27) were localised by in situhybridisation in the wool follicles of Wiltshire sheep. All five genes show distinct expression patterns in the primary wool follicles of the face and lower leg, but have comparable keratinisation zones to their human orthologues. During follicle regression, the expression of these genes is first attenuated distally, gradually becoming restricted to proximal regions before terminating in dormant follicles. The involvement of the expression of oKRT27, oKRT31 and oKRT85, but not oKRT35 and oKRT38, in brush-end formation indicates specialised regulation of keratin expressionin the development of this anchoring structure. Intriguingly, significant differences in the expression of cortical oKRT31, oKRT35, oKRT38 and oKRT85 between primary and secondary follicles were identified.The association of asymmetrical expression of some keratins with follicle curvature raises the possibility of a role infibre crimp formation. Future studies of these and other keratins will generatean understanding of the structural basis of fibre attributes that could contribute to development of novel wool fibres for specific applications.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Gordon SW and Yu Z-D and Nixon AJ and Pearson AJ}
}
@conference {41629,
	title = {Micro-arrays as a discovery tool for wool genomics},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {66},
	year = {2006},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {129-133},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {Wool follicle development and growth is a highly ordered and complex process involving the sequential expression of numerous genes within diverse cell populations. The aim of present studies using microarray analysis is to identify genes and pathways involved in the growth of wool follicles which could be utilised to increase farm productivity and improve the characteristics of Australasian wools. An ovine cDNA array was developed including sequences derived from sheep skin containing wool follicles in different growth stages encompassing many structural and regulatory genes necessary for follicular growth. Initial comparison of stages of wool follicle regression show marked changes in the expression levels of numerous genes including wool keratins. Two parallel research projects in Australia and New Zealand supported by SheepGenomics are currently utilising microarray technology to profile gene expression during key stages of wool follicle development in the foetus and follicular cycling associated with fleece shedding. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Yu Z-D and Bawden CS and Henderson HV and Nixon AJ and Gordon SW and Pearson AJ}
}
@conference {41882,
	title = {Wool keratins - the challenge ahead},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {66},
	year = {2006},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {133-139},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {Sheep wool is predominantly composed of keratin proteins. These comprise keratin intermediate filament proteins embedded in a matrix of smaller keratin associated proteins. As a result of polymorphisms and post-translational modifications, these proteins display many more family members than there are genes. Recent studies using improved gene expression, electron tomography and proteomic techniques have provided useful preliminary data on the association of keratins with certain fibre properties. Current research is quantifying keratin gene expression in the skin and the consequent wool protein compositional differences between breeds of divergent fibre and fleece characteristics. A detailed understanding of the control of keratin gene expression and fibre protein composition arising from these and other studies will provide the foundation for the development of novel high-value wool types, solubilised keratins for specialised cosmetic applications and reconstituted keratin polymers for biomedical applications. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Plowman JE and Bryson WG and Yu Z-D and Gordon SW and Pearson AJ and Kelly RJ}
}
