tony c
Everything I've researched says its genetically not possible, the MC1r gene gives you red hair AND fair skin. Yet, I never burn and can tan and without a doubt have red hair. I've always been curious, if anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear it. Thanks in advance.
Tony
Everything I've researched says its genetically not possible, the MC1r gene gives you red hair AND fair skin. Yet, I never burn and can tan and without a doubt have red hair. I've always been curious, if anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear it. Thanks in advance.
Tony
-I've got hazel-green eyes.
-haha, i dont go tanning, i just wondered why i could tan when i'm outside. thanks a ton for the info, incredibly helpful stuff.
Answer
Actually, the mutation of the MC1R protein doesn't cause red hair. Red hair is caused by a gene on chromosome 16. One of the effects of this gene (besides giving red hair) is to cause a change to the MC1R protein.
This protein is found in the skin and eyes instead of high concentrations of melanin and is associated with fair skin and sensitivity to ultraviolet light. It can also cause freckles.
However, the mutation of the MC1R protein due to the gene on Chromosome 16 only occurs in about 80% of the redheads. There is no (or a different) mutation of this protein in the other 20%.
So if you are in that 20%, you could easily tan as the protein hasn't replaced the melanin in your skin. It might seem like you are a different kind of redhead, but really, you are just a minority in the redhead world. But you and those like you are still 20% of the redhead population.
Unfortunately, I'm a redhead WITH the mutated MC1R protein so I get sunburned when I open the blinds in the morning. However, my daughter, also with red hair, can sit in the sun all day long without burning...and in fact, tans.
Of course we don't let her because tanning is very bad for your health - you can develop skin cancer, no matter what your hair color, later in life. [as a parent just had to throw that in - it's in the job description]
Actually, the mutation of the MC1R protein doesn't cause red hair. Red hair is caused by a gene on chromosome 16. One of the effects of this gene (besides giving red hair) is to cause a change to the MC1R protein.
This protein is found in the skin and eyes instead of high concentrations of melanin and is associated with fair skin and sensitivity to ultraviolet light. It can also cause freckles.
However, the mutation of the MC1R protein due to the gene on Chromosome 16 only occurs in about 80% of the redheads. There is no (or a different) mutation of this protein in the other 20%.
So if you are in that 20%, you could easily tan as the protein hasn't replaced the melanin in your skin. It might seem like you are a different kind of redhead, but really, you are just a minority in the redhead world. But you and those like you are still 20% of the redhead population.
Unfortunately, I'm a redhead WITH the mutated MC1R protein so I get sunburned when I open the blinds in the morning. However, my daughter, also with red hair, can sit in the sun all day long without burning...and in fact, tans.
Of course we don't let her because tanning is very bad for your health - you can develop skin cancer, no matter what your hair color, later in life. [as a parent just had to throw that in - it's in the job description]
If the father has blond hair and blue eyes, but the mother has red hair and gray eyes?
Tananda Tr
If the father has blond hair and blue eyes, but the mother has red hair and gray eyes?
What color hair and eyes will the kids have?
Answer
First a little science
Red hair is caused by a mutation on chromosome 16 which is thought to regulate about 3% of the DNA in the human body including pigment production.
This mutation alters the type of pigment that is produced.
In our bodies we have something called a melanin-activating peptide receptor (MC1R) which takes queues from the body chemicals and tells the cells in your hair, eyes and skin to produce the appropriate pigment.
If you get someone who has this mutated chromosome then the MC1R is sent a different signal to normal and essentially it is turned off so it isn't telling the hair, skin and eyes to produce a dark pigment like it normally would (brown or black eumelanin which causes dark hair, eyes and skin).
------------------
Now why does this cause red hair?
Red hair is the result of brown hair acting under the influence of this mutated chromosome. It is essentially brown hair (which normally contains a mix of brown eumelanin, red phaeomelanin and a little yellow phaeomelanin) but the dark brown eumelanin has been turned off so it isn't being produced properly, auburn hair is the result of a partially active receptor and ginger hair is the result of a completely inactive receptor.
The person with red hair really carries the gene for brown hair but also carries the mutated chromosome.
This mutated chromosome is recessive and requires to copies to be seen as a phenotype acting on the hair, if there is only one copy of the chromosome then it is a genotype and has no effect on the hair color.
--------------------
Now back to your original question.
Because this mutation is rare and very recessive, the chances are that the child would inherit blonde or brown hair rather than red (unless red hair is known on both the mother and father's side in which case it's much more likely for the child to have red hair)
However they will carry the unseen and inactive mutation for red hair which could surface in later generations if matched with another carrier of the the same mutated chromosome.
A similar effect is happening with the eyes which are also influenced by this same mutated chromosome, grey eyes are recessive over blue and it's far more likely that the child would inherit blue.
First a little science
Red hair is caused by a mutation on chromosome 16 which is thought to regulate about 3% of the DNA in the human body including pigment production.
This mutation alters the type of pigment that is produced.
In our bodies we have something called a melanin-activating peptide receptor (MC1R) which takes queues from the body chemicals and tells the cells in your hair, eyes and skin to produce the appropriate pigment.
If you get someone who has this mutated chromosome then the MC1R is sent a different signal to normal and essentially it is turned off so it isn't telling the hair, skin and eyes to produce a dark pigment like it normally would (brown or black eumelanin which causes dark hair, eyes and skin).
------------------
Now why does this cause red hair?
Red hair is the result of brown hair acting under the influence of this mutated chromosome. It is essentially brown hair (which normally contains a mix of brown eumelanin, red phaeomelanin and a little yellow phaeomelanin) but the dark brown eumelanin has been turned off so it isn't being produced properly, auburn hair is the result of a partially active receptor and ginger hair is the result of a completely inactive receptor.
The person with red hair really carries the gene for brown hair but also carries the mutated chromosome.
This mutated chromosome is recessive and requires to copies to be seen as a phenotype acting on the hair, if there is only one copy of the chromosome then it is a genotype and has no effect on the hair color.
--------------------
Now back to your original question.
Because this mutation is rare and very recessive, the chances are that the child would inherit blonde or brown hair rather than red (unless red hair is known on both the mother and father's side in which case it's much more likely for the child to have red hair)
However they will carry the unseen and inactive mutation for red hair which could surface in later generations if matched with another carrier of the the same mutated chromosome.
A similar effect is happening with the eyes which are also influenced by this same mutated chromosome, grey eyes are recessive over blue and it's far more likely that the child would inherit blue.
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Title Post: I have red hair but I CAN tan. How?
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Author: Yukie
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Rating: 92% based on 976 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Yukie
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