TLDR Hair protein analysis could improve medical testing and understanding of hair characteristics.
The review discussed the emerging potential of human hair proteomics in diagnostics and therapeutics, highlighting its noninvasive nature and ability to monitor long-term drug compliance, chronic alcohol abuse, forensic toxicology, and biomarker discovery. Despite its promise, the field had been underutilized, with limited studies on drug incorporation based on hair lipid content, hair growth rates, forms, and the effects of grooming or bleaching. The authors emphasized that protein-based identification using the human hair proteome could significantly advance understanding of these parameters, similar to DNA profiling. The review identified research gaps and discussed the potential of hair proteomics in creating a historical medical repository of normal and disease-specific proteomes.
Cited in this study
8 / 8 results
10 citations
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January 2016 in “PLOS ONE” Researchers found 44 proteins that change during different hair growth stages and may be important for hair follicle function.
54 citations
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January 2016 in “Methods in enzymology on CD-ROM/Methods in enzymology” Keratins are important for skin cell health and their problems can cause diseases.
16 citations
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November 2015 in “Photochemistry and photobiology” Reducing copper (II) ion levels in hair can decrease hair damage.
186 citations
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February 2013 in “Current opinion in cell biology” Keratin proteins are increasingly recognized as important for cell health and are linked to many diseases.
20 citations
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June 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Bleaching hair damages protein structure, especially keratin, leading to weakened hair.
38 citations
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February 2012 in “Analytical biochemistry” Hair proteins have weak spots in their α-helical segments.
13 citations
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June 2011 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science” Human hair absorbs calcium and magnesium from tap water, affecting its structure and styling properties.
438 citations
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October 2010 in “Oncogene” Keratins help protect cells, aid in cancer diagnosis, and influence cancer behavior and treatment.