The gene responsible for Gray hair has been found, and there is a suggestion that gray hair could disappear forever. 6,300 people had their genetic data examined by researchers from University College London and discovered genes responsible for many other things regarding body hair – and the loss of it. Kaustubh Adhikari said that this was the largest study carried out so far.
Gene 1RF4 is responsible, and it stores melanin. The color comes from melanocytes and as we age, they become less effective concerning pigmentation and the air becomes gray. Other genes will be responsible for other changes to the hair as we age and Adhikari added that they played their part. However, only one has been named and for the moment is taking all the blame.
At the top are shown drawings illustrating the seven hair features examined in this study; thick lines connect these features with the candidate genes identified in regions with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reaching genome-wide significant association. At the bottom is shown a composite Manhattan plot displaying all significantly associated SNPs for the hair features examined; the rs number of the SNP with the smallest P value appears at the top of each association peak. Image credit: Kaustubh Adhikari et al., doi: 10.1038/ncomms10815.
The next step is to find out how the genes have the influence they do, and that is the next stage of the process. While at present there are products that can cover up the gray, before long, there may not be ay gray to cover up. It could be by altering genes or as the result of a pill, and there will be wide ranging.
