Could your hair loss be your mom's fault?
June 9, 2005
Researchers from the Life and Brain Center of Bonn University Clinic and the Skin Clinic of Dusseldorf University Clinic have discovered one of the hereditary factors that contribute to hair loss.
By studying blood samples from men in families in which multiple men suffer from hair loss, the researchers discovered an area of chromosomes that they suspected contained genes involved in hair loss. This area of chromosomes also contained the gene for the androgen receptor. One variant of this gene was found to be much more prevalent in men who suffered from premature balding than men who still had a full head of hair in their 60s.
It is thought that this gene can either lead to increased androgen receptors in men that have it, or the androgen receptor which develops from the gene is more stable and difficult to break down. Either way, this helps increase the effects of androgens. The prevailing theory is that increased androgen activity in the form of dihydrotestosterone interacting with androgen receptors of the hair follicles leads to the miniaturization of follicles, which over time progresses towards the baldness of the individual effected.
Interestingly, the gene for the androgen receptor (including the variant that leads to increased androgen activity) comes from the X chromosome, which men inherit from their mother. But other factors that don't depend on the sex of the parents are also thought to be involved in hair loss.
This story has been adapted from a press release from Bonn University. Source: Genetic Variant Leads to Premature Balding in Men
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