An Implication for Post-Transcriptional Control: Reciprocal Changes of Melanocortin Receptor Type 2 mRNA and Protein Expression in Alopecia Areata

October 2010 in “ Medical Hypotheses ”

Hongwei Guo, Jun Deng, Xichuan Yang, Shaoyan Yang, Liu Bao-heng, Fei Hao

melanocortin receptor type 2 MC2R alopecia areata post-transcriptional control hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis HPA axis corticotropin-releasing hormone CRH CRHR glucocorticoid adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH cortisol AA

TLDR Alopecia areata may involve stress-related changes affecting hormone receptors, leading to reduced cortisol production.

The study investigated the expression of melanocortin receptor type 2 (MC2R) in alopecia areata (AA) lesions, revealing a paradoxical pattern where MC2R mRNA levels were elevated, but protein levels were reduced compared to normal scalp tissues. This suggested a post-transcriptional control mechanism affecting MC2R expression. The findings supported the hypothesis that stress-induced changes in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, characterized by increased CRH/CRHR and insufficient glucocorticoid production, played a role in AA pathogenesis. The study highlighted the importance of MC2R in the stress response of skin and its potential involvement in AA, suggesting that the altered HPA axis response in AA might be due to deficient ACTH/MC2R binding, leading to inadequate cortisol production.

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