Tumor Suppressor Gene Involved in Baldness
May 3, 2006 by admin
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
This week’s issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (a top-tier journal scientists want to get published in) reported that a tumor suppressor gene called FHIT is also involved in hairloss characteristic of male-pattern baldness. Forbes covered the story here and Cory mentions it at Baldiness here.
FHIT was first identified in 1996 from observed gene instabilities on chromosome 3. Since then, FHIT abnormalities has been seen in various cancers, causing researchers to suggest that FHIT is a tumor suppressor gene.
Tumor suppressor genes are responsible for the proper workings of cells and often act as “brakes” against inappropriate cell growth. Many cancers are caused by abnormalities or disruptions to one or more tumor suppressor genes.
While researchers suggest a link to baldiness as an additional function of the FHIT gene, this intriguing observation has led to speculation of potential gene therapy for baldness, although I’d stay far from this as a baldness treatment option, at least for now.
FHIT (or Fhit) stands for “fragile histidine triad” gene.
But you’re not bald, Jane!! I don’t know how desperate bald folks but I can’t imagine anything being worse than hair transplants.
Hsien,
You just need to use your imagination.
True I’m not bald. And yes, some hair transplants look pretty bad (maybe need better research in that area). Still, there are some men who look handsome even when they’re bald.
Like Cory!
// blushes //
BTW, I hope you know I was being sarcastic in my post. I’ve amended it to add: