New gene involved in hair texture, density uncovered

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (Chinese media) -- The U.S. researchers

have discovered a new gene involved in determining hair texture in humans,

according to journal Nature Genetics to be published in March.

Their genetic analysis demonstrated that mutations in

a gene, known as P2RY5, cause hereditary "woolly hair" -- hair that is coarse,

dry, tightly curled and sparse. The paper about the findings will appear in the

March edition of journal Nature Genetics.

"Our findings indicate that mutations in the P2RY5

gene cause hereditary woolly hair. This is significant as it represents the

discovery of the first new gene whose primary function seems to be the

determination of hair texture in humans," said lead author Angela M. Christiano

at the Columbia University Medical Center.

"This genetic finding may inform the development of

new treatments for excessive or unwanted hair, or potentially hair growth,"

Christiano added.

The genetic causes of hair texture in humans are

largely unknown. Since research has shown that woolly hair was common among

Pakistani families, Christiano and her colleagues set out to determine why this

type of hair was specific to this group of people.

To identify a gene involved in controlling hair

texture, the research team performed a genetic analysis of six families of

Pakistani origin, who all shared hereditary woolly hair. The cause of hereditary

woolly hair was found to be a mutation in the P2RY5 gene.

"The bulb region of plucked hairs from woolly hair

patients showed irregular bending without attachment of the root sheath." the

authors said.

They propose that mutations in P2RY5 most likely

result in hair follicle disruptions, which then compromise its anchoring to the

hair shaft and cause the abnormal bending of the bulb region, leading to woolly

hair.

Christiano's discoveries have led to the

identification of several genes controlling human hair growth. It remains to be

determined whether common variants on the P2RY5 gene can also contribute to

naturally occurring variations in hair texture between different human

populations.

According to the researchers, P2RY5 is the first gene

of a type known as a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) implicated in a human

hair disorder, thereby making it possible to develop drugs that target this

receptor.