AUTHOR=Wu Yan , Sun Yanyan , Zhang Hao , Xiao Hongwei , Pan Ailuan , Shen Jie , Pu Yuejin , Liang Zhenhua , Du Jinping , Pi Jinsong 

TITLE=Multiomic analysis revealed the regulatory role of the KRT14 gene in eggshell quality

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2022.927670

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2022.927670

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Eggshell strength and thickness are critical factors in reducing the egg breaking rate and preventing economic losses. The calcite biomineralization process is very important for eggshell quality. Therefore, we employed transcriptional sequencing and proteomics to investigate the differences between the uteruses of laying hens with high- and low-breaking-strength shells.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> A total of 1,028 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 270 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified. The analysis results of GO terms and KEGG pathways showed that most of the DEGs and DEPs were enriched in vital pathways related to processes such as calcium metabolism, hormone and amino acid biosynthesis, and cell proliferation and apoptosis. Several DEGs and DEPs that were coexpressed at mRNA and protein levels were verified. <italic>KRT14</italic> (keratin-14) is a candidate gene (protein) obtained by multiple omics analysis due to the fold difference of <italic>KRT14</italic> being the largest. After the overexpression of <italic>KRT14</italic> in uterine epithelial cells, the expressions of <italic>OC116</italic> (ovocleididin-116), <italic>CALB1</italic> (calbindin 1), and <italic>BST1</italic> (ADP-ribosyl cyclase 2) were found to be increased significantly, while the expression of <italic>OC17</italic> (ovocleididin-17) was found to be decreased significantly.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> In summary, this study confirms that during normal calcification, there are differences in ion transport between the uterus of hens producing high-breaking-strength eggshells and those producing low-breaking-strength eggshells, which may help elucidate the eggshell calcification process. The <italic>KRT14</italic> gene may promote calcium metabolism and deposition of calcium carbonate in eggshells.</p>