(March 2, 2016) The
first gene identified for greying hair has been discovered by an international
UCL-led study, confirming greying has a genetic component and is not just
environmental.
Published today in Nature Communications, the study analysed
a population of over 6,000 people with varied ancestry across Latin America to
identify new genes associated with hair colour, greying, density and shape,
i.e. straight or curly.
“We already know several genes involved in balding and hair
colour but this is the first time a gene for greying has been identified in
humans, as well as other genes influencing hair shape and density,” said lead
author, Dr Kaustubh Adhikari, UCL Cell & Developmental Biology.
“It was only possible because we analysed a diverse melting
pot of people, which hasn’t been done before on this scale. These findings have
potential forensic and cosmetic applications as we increase our knowledge on
how genes influence the way we look.”
The findings could help develop forensic DNA technologies
that build visual profiles based on an individual’s genetic makeup. Research in
this field has previously used samples from people of European descent, but
these new results could help forensic reconstructions in Latin America and East
Asia.
The gene identified for grey hair – IRF4 – is known to play
a role in hair colour but this is the first time it has been associated with
the greying of hair. This gene is involved in regulating production and storage
of melanin, the pigment that determines hair, skin and eye colour.