I found it quite interesting to note that the rarest natural
color of hair is red. Scientists have
determined that this is due to the mutations on a gene known as MCIR.
In the 1990’s, scientists focused their research on chromosome 16 and
one of its genes, MC1R.
The MC1R gene
is located on the long (q) arm of chromosome 16 at position 24.3.
Cytogenetic
Location: 16q24.3
Molecular Location on chromosome 16: base pairs 89,984,286 to 89,987,384.
Scientists have determined that individuals with red hair
have more amounts of phaeomelanin than eumelanin. It appears that when there are two mutated
versions of the MC1R gene, the conversions are not as frequent and thus, there is a
buildup of phaeomelanin in the pigment cells.
This results in red hair and fair skin, prone to freckles and an
increased sensitivity to sun exposure.
Additional studies have suggested that variations in the MC1R gene may also increase the risk of
developing melanoma in the absence of UV radiation-related skin damage.
A recent publication, this week, by the managing director of the Scotland’s DNA
project, Alistair Moffat, leads us to believe
that the gloomy climate in Scotland has resulted in the genetic adaptation of
the population of Ireland to produce offspring with red hair. This adaption allows the needed absorption of
Vitamin D from the sun to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Genetic adaption is quite fascinating and has
been proven to be important in the survival of the human and animal species.
I find it interesting that the red hair allele is almost on the telomere. It almost makes it seem as though the trait for red hair could be chopped off from mitosis.
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