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Orange Hair Gene Fights Cell Damage
13 Jul
Summary
- Orange hair pigment may protect cells from damage.
- Pheomelanin production helps balance cysteine levels.
- This may explain why red hair traits persist.
The genetic trait behind orange-red hair may offer a surprising health advantage, according to recent research. Scientists have discovered that pheomelanin, the pigment responsible for the distinctive color in red hair and some bird feathers, plays a protective role within cells.
This pigment is produced using cysteine, a vital building block for proteins. While essential, cysteine must be kept at low levels within cells to avoid toxicity. Excessive accumulation can lead to cell death.
New findings indicate that producing pheomelanin helps maintain cellular health by converting excess cysteine into an inert pigment. This mechanism prevents the molecule from causing cellular damage, suggesting a physiological benefit.
The study, published in PNAS Nexus, utilized a molecule called ML349 to block pheomelanin synthesis in zebra finches. Birds treated with both cysteine and ML349 showed more severe cell damage, highlighting pheomelanin's protective function in balancing cysteine levels.
