Hair Texture Gene Discovered
March 3rd, 2008 Posted by: Dr. Cox
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — The next time you have a bad hair day, think twice before you point fingers at the weather ⦠your genes may be to blame!
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have uncovered a gene involved in determining hair texture in humans. Mutations in the P2RY5 gene cause hereditary âwoolyâ hair — hair that is coarse, dry, tightly curled and sparse.
Since wooly hair is most commonly found in Pakistani families, researchers performed a genetic analysis of six families of Pakistani origin with hereditary wooly hair. The mutated P2RY5 gene was clearly found mutated and deemed the cause for the familyâs hair texture.
Until this discovery, the cause of wooly hair texture was largely unknown. Researchers say they believe their findings not only answer the questions about wooly hair, but potentially some others as well. âThis genetic finding may inform the development of new treatments for excessive or unwanted hair, or potentially hair growth,â Angela M. Christiano, Ph.D., the Richard and Mildred Rhodebeck Professor of Dermatology and Genetics & Development at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, was quoted as saying.
More studies are needed to determine whether common variants on the P2RY5 gene can also lead to naturally occurring differences in hair texture between different human populations.
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SOURCE: Nature Genetics, published online Feb. 24, 2008