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Researchers discover gene for gray hair
Anyone who is already a little older, should know the problem. One morning we wake up, look in the mirror and discover the first gray hair there. For some people, this moment is a real disaster. They try to hide their gray hair by dyeing. Other people are quite casual about it and stand by their age and gray hair. But why is it that we get gray hair? Researchers have now discovered a gene responsible for our gray hair. Perhaps there might be ways to eliminate the graying of our hair soon.
When we get older, we all get gray hair someday. Some people are uncomfortable when their hair turns gray. For such people, there is now good news. University College London scientists have now discovered a gene that triggers our gray hair. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Nature Communications".
The graying of the hair is determined by a special gene. (Image: Jacob Lund / fotolia.com) Gene influences which hair color and skin color we have
If you are one of those people who are bothered by gray hair, there is reason to hope. University College London researchers discovered a human gene responsible for our gray hair. The new findings may make it possible to develop drugs and cosmetics that turn off the gene, say the doctors. Gray hair is caused by the depletion of melanin. The pigment usually causes the color in our hair, our skin and the eyes. That blondes, for example, have lighter hair and usually a lighter skin, is due to the low presence of melanin. If the melanin disappears from the hair, they turn gray. The new findings now show for the first time that a gene is responsible for this graying, explains the lead author. Kaustubh Adhikari from University College London.
Every year, millions are spent on hair dyes
At the present time, there are some people who are gray haired and this hair color is becoming more and more popular. One reason could be that some celebrities do not hide their gray hair nowadays. For example, George Clooney does not dye his hair, the actor stands to his gray hair and still looks attractive. For most people, however, the graying of their hair is still an alarming sign of aging, the researchers explain. Thus, it is not surprising that each year spent several million euros for hair dyes.
IRF4 gene determines if our hair turns gray
The IRF4 gene has been shown to play a crucial role in our hair color, but for the first time, the gene has now been linked to graying. We already knew that several genes are responsible for our hair color and hair loss, the experts explain. In addition, genes influence whether we get gray hair and determine the shape and density of our hair. Kaustubh Adhikari. These new insights were only possible because we were able to analyze a diverse crucible of people, the researchers continue. In the future it will probably be possible to prevent gray hair. Perhaps there will even be a way to restore their original color to already-existing gray hair, say the scientists. As soon as we know more about the pigmentation and all genes involved, it should be easy to find a protein or enzyme that can regulate the activity, adds Dr. Kaustubh Adhikari added.
In the future we may be able to change our hair and eye color
To find out what causes gray hair, the research team analyzed DNA samples from more than 6,600 volunteers. These were recruited from many different countries. For example, the subjects came from Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru, explain the physicians. The visual characteristics for each individual subject were compared with the total genome analysis results. That's how the genes that cause differences in our appearance should be identified, the researchers say. The new finding could mean that it is possible to change the hair or eye color without having to use dyes. So we could change our appearance by the expression of certain genes, the experts add.
New results can also help forensic DNA technology
The team has also discovered several other genes that play a crucial role in our physical appearance. For example, the gene EDAR has been linked to whether we grow a bushy beard. The gene FOXL2 affects how thick our eyebrows grow. PRSS53 causes our hair to curl. The new findings could also help forensic DNA technologies to build visual profiles that build on the individual's genetic makeup, the researchers explain. For example, it could be stated that a suspect had curly hair by examining his genetic make-up. (As)