The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is the only representative of its genus living in present‐day Europe and North Africa, and all domestic rabbits are descendants of this one species, which is native to the Iberian Peninsula. There are over 300 breeds of rabbits that differ in size, coat color, length of ears and type of fur. Rabbits are bred for various reasons, such as for laboratory animals and a source of meat, wool and fur, as well as for pets and exhibition animals. The hair coat is a important economic trait of rabbits. Its development and quality are influenced by various factors, both environmental and genetic. The genetic mechanisms underlying its development have not been thoroughly researched. The aim of this review is to discuss the domestication of rabbits and the different aspects of rabbit genetics. A brief review of the properties of rabbit hair coat, hair coat development and hair cycle will be provided, followed by discussion of the factors regulating hair coat development, molecular control of hair coat development and the role of non‐coding RNAs in the regulation of gene expression in the hair follicles of rabbits. Information about genetic regulation of pathways could provide useful tools for improving hair coat quality and be of practical use in rabbit breeding.

中文翻译：

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兔子–驯化以及毛发发育和质量的分子遗传学

欧洲兔（穴兔）是其属的唯一代表，生活在当今的欧洲和北非，所有家兔都是该物种的后代，该物种起源于伊比利亚半岛。有超过300个品种的兔子，它们的大小，毛色，耳朵的长度和毛皮的类型都不同。饲养兔子的原因有多种，例如用于实验动物和肉，羊毛和毛皮的来源，以及用于宠物和展览动物。毛外套是兔子的重要经济特征。它的发展和质量受环境和遗传因素影响。其发展的遗传机制尚未得到充分研究。这篇综述的目的是讨论兔子的驯化以及兔子遗传学的不同方面。简要回顾一下兔毛大衣的特性，将提供毛发发育和毛发周期，然后讨论调节毛发发育的因素，毛发发育的分子控制以及非编码RNA在兔毛囊基因表达调节中的作用。有关途径遗传调控的信息可为改善毛被质量提供有用的工具，并在兔子育种中具有实际用途。