LONDON - Sons may blame their fathers for premature balding but new research suggests it may be caused by the mother's genes.
Scientists have discovered a gene on the X chromosome that plays a crucial role in male hair loss. Men always inherit the X chromosome from their mothers, while
women inherit an X from each parent.
When it comes to going bald, a man is likely to take after his maternal grandfather rather than his father, the study by a team of German scientists indicates.
The gene affects the androgen receptor, a protein that helps activate male hormones. Certain changes in the gene can cause receding hairlines.
It had long been suspected that hereditary factors were an important cause of hair loss. Until now it has not been clear which genes are involved.
The androgen receptor gene was identified by scientists who spent years searching for families in which several men were affected by baldness.
The scientists found that the gene lay on a part of the X chromosome associated with the biggest contribution to baldness. Professor Markus Nothen, from Bonn University, who led the team, said: "One variant of this gene was found among men who suffered from premature balding at a very early stage very much more often than among men who still had a full head of hair when over 60."
The genetic variant is believed to result in more androgen receptors on the scalp. This would make the scalp more sensitive to the effect of hormones, leading to hair loss.
The findings appear in latest edition of the American Journal of Human Genetics.
Professor Nothen said it was likely that the hereditary defect could also be passed directly from father to son.
Some scientists believe stem cell research could lead to ways of preventing and reversing baldness.
Last year, a University of Pennsylvania team identified stem cells in the hair follicles of mice that could be transplanted into skin and potentially stimulate hair growth.
Hair myths
Wearing a baseball cap causes baldness.
Combing rather than brushing causes hair loss.
Washing hair on a daily basis causes hair loss.
Long exposure to the sun causes hair to fall out.
Excessive sweating of the scalp causes hair loss.
To get hair to grow, brush 100 strokes a day.
Blow-drying causes hair loss.
- INDEPENDENT
LONDON - Sons may blame their fathers for premature balding but new research suggests it may be caused by the mother's genes.
Scientists have discovered a gene on the X chromosome that plays a crucial role in male hair loss. Men always inherit the X chromosome from their mothers, while
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