Rare gene variants linked to male hair loss identified

Researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough in understanding the genetic basis of male pattern hair loss, known as androgenetic alopecia.

Male pattern hair loss, characterized by hair loss in men, has long been associated with hereditary factors.

Current treatments and risk prediction methods for this condition have limitations, prompting scientists to investigate its genetic components more comprehensively.

Previous studies primarily focused on common genetic variants and identified over 350 genetic loci linked to male pattern hair loss.

The androgen receptor gene, found on the maternally inherited X chromosome, has been implicated in these studies.

In their extensive dataset, geneticists discovered associations between male pattern hair loss and rare genetic variants in five genes: EDA2R, WNT10A, HEPH, CEPT1, and EIF3F.

EDA2R and WNT10A had previously been considered candidate genes based on analyses of common variants.

HEPH, located in a genetic region previously linked to male pattern hair loss by common variants, may also play a role in the condition.