This genome-wide association study (GWAS) revealed that 23 genetic regions influence skin color, 11 of which are identified for the first time.
Among them was the newly discovered GAB2 gene, which is involved in promoting the phosphorylation of tyrosine, a precursor of melanin, which causes pigmentation such as freckles.
LG H&H announced that it is developing a “highly effective anti-aging ingredient” based on the results of this skin genetic research.
The company launched the Pro-Radiance complex in September last year under its revamped Cheongidan line under its premium flagship brand, The History of Whoo.
“The skin genes identified in this study have great potential as target genes for developing highly effective skin radiance solutions. Through our research based on skin genomes, we hope to deliver cosmetics that offer differentiated value to customers around the world,” said Kang Nae-kyu, chief technology officer at LG H&H.
Color Study
The study quantified skin color in 48,433 East Asians over a six-year period.
The study identified genetic variants associated with skin color, including the genes that may cause these variants and how they interact with sun exposure at a polygenic level.
LG H&H also discovered genes related to melanin production, skin diseases, and vitamin D synthesis.
This represents a major step forward in understanding the genetic architecture of skin pigmentation in East Asians.
The research was a collaboration between the company’s technology research institute and experts from universities in South Korea and the United States.
These included Professor Won Hong-hee from the Samsung Institute of Health Science and Technology (SAIHST) and Professor Jeongwon Jeong from the College of Life Sciences at Seoul National University (SNU).
These findings, when compared with global data from UK Biobank, a biomedical database and research resource, will help interpret skin tone characteristics of different ethnicities.
The study used a “gene score” to accurately predict skin color traits among people from 26 regions, particularly Asians.
Additionally, the study found that the influence of environmental factors such as where you live, the amount of sun exposure, and sunscreen use all affect your skin tone.
The researchers quantitatively analysed how these factors interact to affect skin colour, providing new insights into the complex relationship between our environment and genes.
One key finding is that people who are exposed to more than three hours of sunlight each day may experience different effects from sunscreen based on their skin color genes.
The researchers translated the influence of these genes into a “gene score”: people with a low gene score are more likely to be born with darker skin, while people with a high gene score are more likely to be born with lighter skin.
Further analysis revealed that people with genetic scores in the bottom 10% were nearly twice as likely to get skin tone protection from sunscreen compared to those in the top 10%.
This suggests that your genetic makeup may also influence how well sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s rays.
Source: Nature Communications
Mapping and annotation of loci determines gene prioritization and suggests distinct polygenic adaptations to skin color.
Author: Kim, B., Kim, DS, Shin, JG. etc
