This study uncovers another possible genetic reason why some people of the same age may look slightly older or younger than each other.
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The authors of the latest research said more investigation is needed to identify precisely how specific features, such as skin sag or skin fix, could be linked to MC1R.
Scientists in the Netherlands have found links between a gene known to cause pale skin and red hair and how old a person looks.
While the gene was just one of many factors that influence perceived age, further experiments are planned to explore exactly how it influences our looks and identify other genes that influence perceived age. Ultimately, the researchers believe the research will provide valuable insights into health and the nature of ageing. There are likely to be various other genetic factors associated with ageing.
The study suggested some variants of the gene led to people looking, on average, two years younger than those with other forms of MC1R. The researchers found four DNA sequence variants in the MC1R gene were linked to perceived facial age. Eight million single nucleotide polymorphisms were analyzed and 30 white Unilever employees were asked to look at photos of participants to determine their perceived age, according to Scientific American.
“We were encouraged by data that showed that once you started taking responses from larger groups, the more you get reproducible outcomes”, Gunn said. Those lifestyle measures include not smoking, avoiding excessive sun exposure and eating a healthy diet, he noted.
It looked for more than 25 criteria, such as pigmented spots, wrinkles, skin tone and face shape.
Dutch scientists have discovered a variant of the gene named MC1R which reportedly contributes to the redhead and the fair skin few westerners have.
People with red hair have always been the butt of unfair jokes, but a study suggests that when it comes to ageing they may have the last laugh.
According to Gunn, the MC1R gene is through some unknown way possibly affecting facial aging.
In addition to its role in skin color, MC1R is also known to play a role in other biological processes, such as inflammation and DNA damage fix and this influence might be the reason it links to youthful looks.
In this week’s Current Biology, researchers have reported that certain varieties of the so-called MC1R gene add around two years to the face.
Why do people sometimes appear to be younger than others of the same age?
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Elderly, who were carrying the variants of MC1R, were found to looking two years older than their peers who did not carry the variants.
