Table 1.
Genes in cluster 14 with known function
| Gene symbol | Gene name | Protein function | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZ1 | archaemetzincin 1 | metalloprotease, possibly involved in tissue remodelling to form feather follicles | [141, 142] |
| ANKK1 (PKK2) | ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 | interacts with keratin filaments | [143] |
| AREG | amphiregulin | epithelial growth factor | [144] |
| CLDN9 | claudin 9 | tight junction membrane protein found in all epithelia | [145] |
| DLX4 | homeobox protein DLX4 | homeobox protein that regulates epithelial-mesenchymal interactions | [146] |
| EDMTF4 | epidermal differentiation protein starting with MTF motif 4 | markers of the feather barbule and members of the epidermal differentiation complex; this has a role in integumentary development, including feather pigmentation | [147–149] |
| EDMTFH | epidermal differentiation protein starting with MTF and rich in histidine | ||
| FK21 | feather keratin 21 | feather keratins | |
| FK27 | feather keratin 27 | ||
| PNPLA4 | patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 4 | enzyme with a role in retinol metabolism (retinol and related compounds regulate epithelial cell growth and differentiation) | [150, 151] |
| RAB38 | Ras-related protein RAB38 | GTPase involved in melanosome biogenesis and epithelial pigmentation | [152, 153] |
| RASSF10 | Ras association domain family member 10 | tumour suppressor that mediates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition | [154] |
| SDR16C5 (RDH-E2) | epidermal retinol dehydrogenase 2 | overexpressed in psoriatic human skin | [155] |
| XG | Xg blood group | blood group antigen | [156] |