Newswise — Philadelphia, June 5, 2023 –The initial genetic mapping research on European eyebrow thickness uncovered three novel genetic loci, as detailed in an Editor's Letter within the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, issued by Elsevier. The investigation, carried out by the International Visible Trait Genetics (VisiGen) Consortium, indicates that the genetic basis of eyebrow traits varies in part across diverse global populations.
The genetic influence on human eyebrows extends beyond mere grooming, as it is deeply rooted in our genes. The heritability of eyebrow thickness, like other physical traits, is significant. Until now, the understanding of the genetic aspects of eyebrow thickness has been constrained to non-European populations, lacking comprehensive knowledge. This groundbreaking study marks the inaugural genome-wide association study (GWAS) on eyebrow thickness specifically in Europeans. By uncovering novel genes and reconfirming previously identified ones from non-European populations, this study enriches our understanding of the genetic factors contributing to eyebrow variation in humans. This research holds broad implications for fields such as dermatology and beyond, capturing widespread interest.
Prior investigations were conducted on Latin American and Chinese populations, identifying four genetic loci linked to eyebrow thickness. However, since there were no reports on a genome-wide association study (GWAS) focusing on European eyebrow thickness, researchers were uncertain about the persistence of the genetic effects observed in non-European individuals and whether there were distinct genetic loci specific to Europeans in relation to eyebrow thickness. This knowledge gap prompted the need for a European-specific GWAS to shed light on these questions.
Prof. Dr. Manfred Kayser, the lead investigator from the Department of Genetic Identification at Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, and co-chair of the VisiGen Consortium overseeing this study, expressed his thoughts on the research. He remarked, "Despite the extensive endeavors in unraveling the genes responsible for complex traits in humans, our understanding of the genes contributing to our physical appearance remains considerably limited compared to our knowledge of disease-related genes. This study marks the first gene mapping investigation focusing on eyebrow thickness variation specifically in Europeans. Previous genetic insights on eyebrow thickness were confined to non-European populations. Through our research, we have uncovered novel genes associated with eyebrow variation in Europeans and reconfirmed the presence of some genes previously identified in non-European populations."
The study encompassed 9,948 individuals from four distinct groups with European ancestry. Its findings went beyond the identification of three previously unknown genetic loci linked to eyebrow thickness. The study also confirmed the presence of two out of the four genetic loci previously identified in non-European populations. However, it was observed that two other genetic loci, previously reported in non-Europeans, exhibited minimal effects in Europeans. This disparity can be attributed to the extremely low frequencies of these alleles among individuals of European descent.
In conclusion, Prof. Dr. Kayser emphasized the significant contribution of the study to our understanding of the genetic factors influencing human eyebrow appearance. The number of known genes associated with eyebrow thickness has now expanded from four to seven, providing researchers with additional targets for future investigations into their functional roles. The study's findings also highlight the importance of studying populations with diverse ancestries to unravel the genetic underpinnings of various human traits, including physical appearance. This underscores the notion that both shared and distinct genetic factors contribute to eyebrow variation among populations across different continents.
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