The Genetics Behind Eyebrow Thickness: A Breakthrough Study
The Visible Trait Genetics International Consortium (VisiGen) conducted the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) on brow thickness in Europeans, leading to new genetic discoveries. The study identified three previously unreported genetic loci related to eyebrow thickness and rediscovered two of the four genetic loci previously identified in non-Europeans. The study also found that eyebrow appearance has partly similar and partly different underlying genes in people from different parts of the world.
Principal investigator Prof. Dr. Manfred Kayser from the Department of Genetic Identification at Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam commented that the study expanded genetic knowledge about human eyebrow variation, which has implications for dermatology and other fields. The discovery of new genes involved in eyebrow variation in Europeans and the re-discovery of previously identified genes in non-Europeans offers new targets for future functional studies.
The study conducted among 9,948 people from four groups of European ancestry revealed that two other previously reported genetic loci in non-Europeans had minimal effects in Europeans due to very low allele frequencies in Europeans. The study significantly improves the genetic knowledge of the appearance of human eyebrows by increasing the number of known genes from four to seven.
The Appearance of Human Eyebrows: A Matter of Personal Grooming or Inherited Traits?
Eyebrow thickness, like any other appearance trait, is highly heritable, showcasing that the appearance of human eyebrows is not just about personal grooming but is entirely rooted in genes. Until now, genetic knowledge about brow thickness has been very limited, restricted to non-Europeans only. Previous studies had been carried out among Latin American and Chinese individuals, establishing four genetic loci associated with the thickness of eyebrows. Due to this limitation, researchers didn’t know whether the genetic effects of brow thickness described in non-Europeans persist in Europeans or if European-specific genetic loci are involved in brow thickness.
The new discovery specifies that brow thickness is not determined by a single gene alone, and it varies between various populations based on the frequency of allele. For instance, the study found that two of the four genetic loci previously identified in non-Europeans have minimal effects in Europeans due to allele frequencies.
The Need for Studying Populations of Different Ancestries
The findings from this study underscore the need to study populations of different ancestors to reveal the genetic basis of human traits, including but not limited to physical appearance. This study significantly improves the genetic knowledge of the appearance of human eyebrows by increasing the number of known genes from four to seven. Interbreeding and mixing different ancestries have led to significant variations in humans, which can be attributed to the variable genetic profiles. By studying populations of different ancestors, scientists can have a wide-ranging and comprehensive view of the genetic mechanisms behind different traits and characteristics in humans.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking study has expanded genetic knowledge about human eyebrow variation, making it crucial in fields such as dermatology and others. Although the study conducted among Europeans discovered three previously unreported genetic loci related to eyebrow thickness, future research could provide new insights. The discovery of new genes involved in eyebrow variation in Europeans and the rediscovery of some previously identified genes in non-Europeans offer new targets for future functional studies.
Summary
The Visible Trait Genetics International Consortium (VisiGen) conducted the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) on brow thickness in Europeans, leading to the identification of three previously unreported genetic loci related to eyebrow thickness. The study discovered that eyebrow appearance has partly similar and partly different underlying genes in people from different parts of the world. Until now, genetic knowledge about brow thickness has been limited, restricted to non-Europeans only. The study also found that previous studies conducted among non-Europeans involving four genetic loci were minimal in Europeans due to low allele frequencies. The discovery of new genes involved in eyebrow variation in Europeans and the re-discovery of some previously identified genes in non-Europeans offer new targets for future functional studies. By studying populations of different ancestors, scientists can have a wide-ranging and comprehensive view of the genetic mechanisms behind different traits and characteristics in humans.
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The first gene mapping study on brow thickness in Europeans discovered three previously unreported genetic loci, as reported in a letter to the editor in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, published by Elsevier. Study by the Visible Trait Genetics International Consortium (VisiGen) shows that eyebrow appearance has partly the same and partly different underlying genes in people from different parts of the world.
The appearance of human eyebrows is not just a matter of personal grooming, it is in the genes. The thickness of the eyebrows, like any other appearance trait, is highly heritable. Until now, genetic knowledge about brow thickness has been very limited, restricted to non-Europeans only. This study is the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) on brow thickness in Europeans. By identifying new genes and rediscovering some of the genes previously identified in non-Europeans, the study expands genetic knowledge about human eyebrow variation, which is of great interest and has implications for dermatology and other fields.
Previous studies were carried out among Latin American and Chinese individuals, establishing four genetic loci associated with the thickness of the eyebrows. Because no European brow thickness GWAS had been reported, the researchers did not know if the genetic effects of brow thickness described in non-Europeans persist in Europeans, or if European-specific genetic loci are involved in the brow thickness. brow thickness, or both.
Principal investigator Prof. Dr. Manfred Kayser, Department of Genetic Identification, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, and co-chair of the VisiGen Consortium responsible for this study, commented: “Despite immense efforts in mapping genes underlying complex human traits, We still know much more about the genes that make us sick than about those behind our healthy appearance.For the first time, we conducted a gene-mapping study on brow thickness variation in males. Europeans. Previous genetic knowledge about eyebrow thickness was limited and restricted solely to non-Europeans. We discovered new genes involved in eyebrow variation in Europeans and rediscovered some of the previously identified genes in non-Europeans.”
The study among 9,948 people from four groups of European ancestry not only discovered three previously unreported genetic loci associated with brow thickness, but also rediscovered two of the four genetic loci previously found in non-Europeans. Two other previously reported genetic loci in non-Europeans had minimal effects in Europeans, due to very low allele frequencies in Europeans.
Prof. Dr. Kayser concluded: “Our study significantly improves the genetic knowledge of the appearance of human eyebrows by increasing the number of known genes from four to seven and offers new targets for future functional studies. Having shown that the variation of eyebrows is determined by both and distinct genetic factors in continental populations, our findings underscore the need to study populations of different ancestors to reveal the genetic basis of human traits, including but not limited to physical appearance.”
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230605181239.htm
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