Specific genes affect how old we look

MC1R and other factors have a big impact on your perceived age
What makes a big difference, why some people look young and others look much older than they really are? Certainly the lifestyle has a great impact, but researchers have now found that a youthful appearance is also influenced by a gene called MC1R.

Researchers at the Erasmus University Medical Center found during their study that certain genes influence whether or not we look young in old age. The so-called MC1R gene therefore has a major impact on how old we look at other people and how young our skin looks. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Current Biology".

Scientists found that a particular gene variant causes us to look older to others than we really are. (Picture: Picture-Factory / fotolia.com)

There is a connection between a young look and our health
The MC1R gene affects our appearance in old age. The gene makes some people look much older than they really are. Other people look young and fresh even after years. What exactly causes the MC1R gene is still unclear. "It's not responsible for crow's feet and liver spots, but it could affect the facial structure," say the doctors. So it is possible that MC1R influences, for example, our lip height. However, according to the medical profession, a young appearance may also point to other factors, because "there is a connection between a young look and good health," says co-author Manfred Kayser from the Erasmus University Medical Center.

Study examined a total of 4,500 subjects
Earlier research had shown that skin patches and skin damage caused by the sun are affected by our genes. The MC1R gene is crucial for the production of melanin, which "brings about the pigmentation of the skin and protects it from the UV radiation of the sun," explain the physicians. The new study specifically looked at the effects of genes on our perceived age. "This determines how old other people judge us," explains co-author David Gunn.

For their study, the physicians commissioned some subjects to estimate the age of 2,700 Dutch seniors. Afterwards, the scientists examined the DNA sections of people who were older than they really were. To confirm their findings, researchers repeated the process with 600 additional Dutch seniors and about 1,200 British seniors. They found that a variant of MC1R can make people look about two years younger.

Genetics, sun exposure, smoking and dental care affect perceived age
The MC1R gene is crucial for the production of melanin, which causes the pigmentation of the skin and protects it from the UV radiation of the sun. He was once said to be responsible for red hair and freckles. "But it is also involved in the DNA repair of the skin," explain the scientists. Thus, there is a possibility that this circumstance also affects our appearance.

Of course, there are other factors that affect our appearance, such as smoking or body mass index (BMI), "the doctors add. These were not included in the study. When we learn what exactly happens with people's aging skin, "we will find ways and means to enable people to look young for as long as possible," says co-author Gunn. However, the perceived age is not only dependent on our genetics. Smoking, sun exposure, and bad care of our teeth cause people to look older, the expert adds. People may look two years older with a variant of MC1R, and if the person smokes then it will probably look even older, says the doctor. (As)