Hair loss gene identified by scientists
http://www.centreforhairloss.co.uk/articles/61/1/Hair-loss-gene-identified-by-scientists/Page1.html
Susan Whitford
Susan Whitford has twelve years experience as a health and beauty journalist in the United Kingdom. Susan has worked as a staff writer and features editor on a number of consumer magazines. By Susan Whitford
Published on 5th June, 2009
A hair loss gene has been
identified which could help researchers develop treatments for baldness
and may be able to help identify, at a young age, those who could be
affected later in life.
A hair loss gene has been identified which could help researchers develop treatments for baldness and may be able to help identify, at a young age, those who could be affected later in life.
The breakthrough was made during experiments on mice at Japan’s National Institute of Genetics. The gene, known as Sox21, is also found in mice and when scientists blocked the gene, the mice started to lose their hair and were bald within a week.
Male-pattern baldness happens when the hair’s natural growing cycle begins to shrink, until no new hair is growing through to replace the 150 hairs humans lose each day, leading to hair thinning.
Scientists now think that the gene may control the hair growth cycle in humans. Professor Yumiko Saga, from the Institute, says the breakthrough is “very interesting” adding, “It should help in the current research into finding a cure for hair loss. It will also help us accurately target men likely to lose their hair so we can treat them before it happens."
Hair loss affects 7.4 million men in the UK and by age 60, two thirds of men are affected by baldness.
The breakthrough was made during experiments on mice at Japan’s National Institute of Genetics. The gene, known as Sox21, is also found in mice and when scientists blocked the gene, the mice started to lose their hair and were bald within a week.
Male-pattern baldness happens when the hair’s natural growing cycle begins to shrink, until no new hair is growing through to replace the 150 hairs humans lose each day, leading to hair thinning.
Scientists now think that the gene may control the hair growth cycle in humans. Professor Yumiko Saga, from the Institute, says the breakthrough is “very interesting” adding, “It should help in the current research into finding a cure for hair loss. It will also help us accurately target men likely to lose their hair so we can treat them before it happens."
Hair loss affects 7.4 million men in the UK and by age 60, two thirds of men are affected by baldness.