Discovered gene gray hair – Focus

The first gene associated with graying hair – IRF4 – discovered an international team led by prof. Andres Ruiz-Linares from University College in London. Scientists have studied diverse in terms of ethnicity, a group of 6357 residents of South America (45 per cent. Of men, 55 percent. Women) seeking genes associated with hair color, their graying, density and shape (straight or curly hair). The subjects were residents of Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru.

Science already knows several genes associated with alopecia or hair color, but the gene that graying in humans have been identified for the first time (previously IRF4 considered only gene associated the color of the hair). This was possible thanks to the analysis of a large number of genomes from very diverse environment, which is Latin America.

IRF4 is associated with the production and accumulation of melanin pigment suitable color of hair, skin and eyes. The cause of graying is the lack of melanin in the hair.

The discovery can be used both in forensic medicine and cosmetics. Knowing the genome of the person sought can determine its probable appearance – the previous data related mainly to people of European descent, the new – as Hispanics and Asians. Understanding the role of IRF4 could lead to the development of cosmetic procedures to prevent graying.

Another discovered in the course of the same study gene influences the appearance of the hair is PRSS53 on which activity depends on whether hair is straight (as in Asians and Indians) whether African curly (feature evolutionarily older). Produced under PRSS53, the enzyme acts in the hair follicle, affecting the shape of the resulting hair.

In contrast, the gene EDAR affects both the density of the chin, and the shape of the hair, while FOXL2 affect the thickness of the eyebrows.