Involvement of Transglutaminase 3 in Hair Stiffness Changes with Age by Zinc Capture
TLDR Hair becomes less stiff as we age because of a decrease in zinc, which is linked to lower levels of the protein TG3.
The study found that the decrease in zinc within hair cuticles is one of the reasons for the reduction in hair stiffness with age. The researchers identified Transglutaminase 3 (TG3), a protein that binds with divalent metals, as a key player in retaining zinc within the cuticles. They confirmed the presence of TG3 in large amounts in the cuticles through antibody staining of hair root longitudinal sections. Using mRNA from the hair root of volunteers of various ages, they found a trend of decreasing TG3 expression after the age of 40. Therefore, the decrease in zinc in hair with age is partly due to the decrease in TG3 expression. The study suggests that using materials to enhance TG3 expression could prevent the decrease in zinc in hair with age, and thus prevent the reduction in hair stiffness.
