title: Melanocortin-1-receptor gene and sun sensitivity in individuals without red hair.
abstract: Susceptibility to sunburn, photoageing, and skin cancer is inversely related to an individual's ability to tan after sun exposure. We examined variants in the melanocortin-1-receptor (MC1R) gene in individuals from Ireland and the UK. We found evidence of an association between the degree of tanning after repeated sun exposure, and the number of variant alleles present. Heterozygotes were intermediate between wild-type individuals and those with two variant alleles. We suggest that MC1R gene status therefore determines sun sensitivity in people without red hair.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Healy
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Flannagan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Birch-Machin
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rees
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D005838:Genotype; D006200:Hair Color / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics*; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000235:genetics*; D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin / Q000235:genetics*; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000235:genetics*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin