Evaluation of the Predictive Capacity of DNA Variants Associated with Straight Hair in Europeans

November 2015 in “ Forensic Science International: Genetics ”

Ewelina Pośpiech, Joanna Karłowska-Pik, Magdalena Marcińska, Sarah Abidi, Jeppe Dyrberg Andersen, M. van den Berge, Ángel Carracedo, Mayra Eduardoff, Ana Freire-Aradas, Niels Morling, Titia Sijen, Małgorzata Skowron, Jens Söchtig, Denise Syndercombe‐Court, Natalie Weiler, Peter M. Schneider, David J. Ballard, Claus Børsting, Walther Parson, C. Phillips, Wojciech Branicki

single nucleotide polymorphisms SNPs rs11803731 TCHH rs7349332 WNT10A rs1268789 FRAS1 rs4679955 male pattern baldness

TLDR Certain DNA variants can predict straight hair in Europeans but are not highly specific.

The study investigated the association of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with hair morphology in a Polish sample of 528 individuals and an independent test set of 142 males from six European populations. It confirmed the association of SNPs rs11803731 (TCHH), rs7349332 (WNT10A), and rs1268789 (FRAS1) with straight hair, which explained about 8.2% of the variance in hair morphology. The best predictive results were obtained using neural networks, which showed high sensitivity but low specificity. The TTGGGG genotype was the best predictor for straight hair. Additionally, a suggestive association was found between hair morphology and SNP rs4679955, which is also associated with male pattern baldness. The study concluded that while the identified SNPs are sensitive predictors of straight hair, they lack specificity, and further research is needed to improve the predictive accuracy for hair morphology.

View this study on fsigenetics.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Cited in this study

17 / 17 results

research Evaluation of DNA Variants Associated with Androgenetic Alopecia and Their Potential to Predict Male Pattern Baldness

48 citations , May 2015 in “PLOS ONE”

DNA variants can predict male pattern baldness, with higher risk scores increasing baldness likelihood.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Identification Of Four Genetic Risk Loci And Evidence For The Contribution Of WNT Signaling To Its Etiology

74 citations , June 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Four genetic risk spots found for hair loss, with WNT signaling involved and a link to curly hair.

research The Biology of Hair Diversity

47 citations , March 2013 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science”

Hair diversity is influenced by complex genetics and environmental factors, requiring more research for practical solutions.

research Investigation of the Male Pattern Baldness Major Genetic Susceptibility Loci AR/EDA2R and 20p11 in Female Pattern Hair Loss

38 citations , June 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

AR/EDA2R gene linked to early-onset female hair loss, but 20p11 gene not involved.

research Six Novel Susceptibility Loci for Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia and Their Unexpected Association with Common Diseases

87 citations , May 2012 in “PLOS Genetics”

Six new genetic regions linked to early hair loss also connect to Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer, possibly leading to new treatments.

research Susceptibility Variants on Chromosome 7p21.1 Suggest HDAC9 as a New Candidate Gene for Male-Pattern Baldness

51 citations , November 2011 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

A gene called HDAC9 might be a new factor in male-pattern baldness.

research Improving Human Forensics Through Advances in Genetics, Genomics, and Molecular Biology

383 citations , February 2011 in “Nature Reviews Genetics”

DNA profiling in forensics has improved, but predicting physical traits and ancestry from DNA has limitations and requires ethical consideration.

research Evidence for Two Independent Functional Variants for Androgenetic Alopecia Around the Androgen Receptor Gene

26 citations , November 2010 in “Experimental Dermatology”

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

research Common Variants in the Trichohyalin Gene Are Associated with Straight Hair in Europeans

234 citations , November 2009 in “American journal of human genetics”

Common variants in the Trichohyalin gene are linked to straight hair in Europeans.

research FGFR2 Is Associated With Hair Thickness In Asian Populations

45 citations , July 2009 in “Journal of human genetics”

A gene variation is linked to hair thickness in Asians.

research Molecular Elements of the Regulatory Control of Keratin Filament Modulator AHF/Trichohyalin in the Hair Follicle

7 citations , January 2009 in “Experimental Dermatology”

The study concluded that a protein important for hair strength is regulated by certain molecular processes and is affected by growth phases.

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.

research EDA2R Is Associated With Androgenetic Alopecia

82 citations , September 2008 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

EDA2R gene linked to hair loss.

research Worldwide Diversity of Hair Curliness: A New Method of Assessment

95 citations , October 2007 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

A new method accurately classifies hair types, showing global hair diversity.

research Human Hair Keratin Network And Curvature

85 citations , October 2007 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Curly hair shape is due to uneven growth patterns in the hair follicle.

research The Biology of Hair Shape

26 citations , September 2005 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Hair shape is determined by genetic, molecular, and cellular factors.

research Trichohyalin Mechanically Strengthens the Hair Follicle

108 citations , October 2003 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry”

Trichohyalin makes hair follicles stronger.