A nucleotide substitution in the ovine KAP20-2 gene leads to a premature stop codon that affects wool fibre curvature

Abstract

The keratin‐associated proteins (KAPs) form a matrix that cross‐links the main component of the wool fibre, the keratin intermediate filaments. They are therefore believed to play an important role in defining the physical and mechanical properties of the fibre. Although over 80 functional KAP genes (KRTAPs) have been identified in humans, only 29 have been found in sheep,1-3 All of these are polymorphic, and variation in some of these ovine KRTAPs has been associated with wool traits