OBJECTIVETo identify the pathogenic mutation in a Chinese family with Alport syndrome.

METHODSBlood samples were collected from the members of the family. Direct DNA sequence analysis of the entire coding region and exon-intron boundaries of the COL4A5 gene was performed, and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was used to confirm the sequencing results and to test the mutation in all the family members and 200 controls.

RESULTSA novel splicing mutation of c.1517-1G to T in the COL4A5 gene was identified in all patients in the family. RFLP analysis did not detect this mutation in all the unaffected family members and the 200 controls.

CONCLUSIONThis data revealed a novel splicing mutation of c.1517-1G to T in the COL4A5 gene causing Alport syndrome in a Chinese family. Author's study enriched the spectrum of COL4A5 mutation associated with Alport syndrome.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; genetics ; Collagen Type IV ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Genetic Linkage ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Nephritis, Hereditary ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; RNA Splicing ; genetics

Cashmere, also known as soft gold, is produced from the secondary hair follicles (SHFs) of cashmere goats. The number of SHFs determines the yield and quality of cashmere; therefore, it is of interest to investigate the transcriptional profiles present during cashmere goat hair follicle development. However, mechanisms underlying this development process remain largely unexplored, and studies regarding hair follicle development mostly use a murine research model. In this study, to provide a comprehensive understanding of cellular heterogeneity and cell fate decisions, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on 19,705 single cells of the dorsal skin from cashmere goat fetuses at induction (embryonic day 60; E60), organogenesis (E90), and cytodifferentiation (E120) stages. For the first time, unsupervised clustering analysis identified 16 cell clusters, and their corresponding cell types were also characterized. Based on lineage inference, a detailed molecular landscape was revealed along the dermal and epidermal cell lineage developmental pathways. Notably, our current data also confirmed the heterogeneity of dermal papillae from different hair follicle types, which was further validated by immunofluorescence analysis. The current study identifies different biomarkers during cashmere goat hair follicle development and has implications for cashmere goat breeding in the future.