Genetics of Alopecia

April 2012 in “ Encyclopedia of Life Sciences ”

Shigeki Inui

TLDR Different genes are linked to various types of hair loss.

The document "Genetics of Alopecia" from April 16, 2012, discussed the genetic factors associated with different types of alopecia. A genome-wide association study identified eight regions associated with alopecia areata (AA), including CTLA4, IL-2/IL-22, HLA-class II, UL16-binding protein-3 and -6, syntaxin 17, IL-2RA, peroxiredoxin 5 and Eos. Androgenetic alopecia was linked to both androgen-related genes (5α-reductase isozymes, androgen receptor, ectodysplasin A2 receptor, and histone deacetylase 9) and androgen-unrelated genes (PAX1 and FOXA2). The study also identified specific gene mutations associated with congenital hypotrichosis, including mutations in EDA-A1, EDAR, EDA-RADD, p63, P-cadherin, SPINK5, desmoglein 4, lipase H (LIPH), LPAR6 (P2RY5), keratin 74, corneodesmosin, APCDD, and hairless. These findings provided new insights into the pathogenesis of alopecia and the molecular mechanisms of normal hair growth.

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Genetics and hormones play a role in male and female hair loss, but more research is needed to fully understand it.

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Two gene areas linked to male pattern baldness found, more research needed.

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The study found that immune responses disrupt hair growth cycles, causing hair loss in alopecia areata.

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research APCDD1 Is a Novel Wnt Inhibitor Mutated in Hereditary Hypotrichosis Simplex

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A gene called APCDD1, which controls hair growth, is found to be faulty in a type of hair loss called hereditary hypotrichosis simplex.

research Loss-Of-Function Mutations of an Inhibitory Upstream ORF in the Human Hairless Transcript Cause Marie Unna Hereditary Hypotrichosis

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Certain mutations in a hair growth-related gene cause a type of genetic hair loss.

research Male-Pattern Baldness Susceptibility Locus at 20p11

111 citations , October 2008 in “Nature Genetics”

Researchers found a new gene area linked to male-pattern baldness, which, along with another gene, significantly increases the risk of hair loss in men.