https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/study-finds-link-between-red-hair-pain-threshold
People with red hair have a variant of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene. This gene controls the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color. The cells that make melanin produce two forms—eumelanin and pheomelanin. ... But the team found that the MCR1 red-hair variant altered the balance in favor of

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6548228/
Introduction. Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) is a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor, encoded by the gene MC1R on 16q24.3 ().Endogenously activated by the melanocyte-stimulating hormone and the adrenocorticotropic hormone, this receptor is a critical component of skin and hair pigment biosynthesis.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11204720/
Red hair has been linked to altered sensitivity to pain, analgesics, and hypnotics. This alteration may be impacted by variants in the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene, which are mainly found in redheads.The aim of this narrative review was to explore and present the current state of knowledge on red hair and its plausible associations with altered responsiveness to pain, analgesics, and

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30657907/
Genetic variation in melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) is a known contributor to disease-free red hair in humans. Three loss-of-function single-nucleotide variants (rs1805007, rs1805008 and rs1805009) have been established as strongly correlated with red hair. The contribution of other loss-of-function MC1R variants (in particular rs1805005

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7202363/
1. Introduction. The gene MC1R encodes the melanocortin-1 receptor, MC1R, a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) responsible for skin and hair pigment biosynthesis [].Once endogenously activated by the melanocyte stimulating hormone, α-MSH, or the adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH, MC1R signals via cAMP upregulation for a switch from the default pheomelanin to eumelanin production [22, 39].

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31834199/
Genetic variation in melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) has a known role in red hair. Studies on responses to noxious stimuli in red-haired individuals have also been conducted, with mixed findings. To investigate a possible divergence between variants responsible for red hair and pain sensitivity, we p

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18366057/
Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1. Melanocortin-1-receptor (MC1R) is one of the major genes that determine skin pigmentation. MC1R variants were suggested to be associated with red hair, fair skin, and an increased risk of melanoma. We performed a meta-analysis on the association between the 9 most studied MC1R variants (p.V60L, p.D8 ….

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41420-021-00499-9
Molecular and genetic data have shown that red hair color variants (RHC-variants) of MC1R occur in the coding region of this gene, and are associated with phenotypes, such as red or blonde hair

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44254-023-00017-3
The redheaded phenotype arises through a mutation in the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) [10,11,12] found on epidermal melanocytes, with loss of receptor function causing disrupted pigment production.Instead of the darker eumelanin, a stable molecule that resists photodamage by ultra-violet (UV) radiation [13, 14], sulphated pheomelanin, a red/yellow pigment, is instead produced.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijc.23396
Melanocortin-1-receptor (MC1R) is one of the major genes that determine skin pigmentation.MC1R variants were suggested to be associated with red hair, fair skin, and an increased risk of melanoma. We performed a meta-analysis on the association between the 9 most studied MC1R variants (p.V60L, p.D84E, p.V92M, p.R142H, p.R151C, p.I155T, p.R160W, p.R163Q and p.D294H) and melanoma and/or red hair

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/ijc.23396
Melanocortin-1-receptor (MC1R) is one of the major genes that determine skin pigmentation. MC1R variants were suggested to be associated with red hair, fair skin, and an increased risk of mela-noma. We performed a meta-analysis on the association between the 9 most studied MC1R variants (p.V60L, p.D84E, p.V92M,

https://hms.harvard.edu/news/how-red-hair-may-increase-melanoma-risk
August 22, 2013. A person's skin pigment, which determines hair color and skin tone, is influenced by the melanocortin-1 (MC1R) gene receptor. For the population's 1 to 2 percent of redheads, a mutation in MC1R accounts for their red hair color and typical light skin. Now researchers from Harvard Medical School have discovered that the same

https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/mc1r/
The MC1R gene provides instructions for making a protein called the melanocortin 1 receptor. This receptor plays an important role in normal pigmentation. The receptor is primarily located on the surface of melanocytes, which are specialized cells that produce a pigment called melanin. Melanin is the substance that gives skin, hair, and eyes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanocortin_1_receptor
The melanocortin 1 receptor ... People with freckles and no red hair have an 85% chance of carrying the MC1R gene that is connected to red hair. People with no freckles and no red hair have an 18% chance of carrying the MC1R gene linked to red hair. Eight genes have been identified in humans that control whether the MC1R gene is turned on and

https://www.healthline.com/health/redheads-and-anesthesia
Red hair is caused by a mutation of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), a type of gene responsible for producing pigment for skin and hair. An MC1R mutation may be involved in pain as well.

https://www.healthywomen.org/your-health/redheads-and-pain
The jury's still out as to why this may be, but one theory has to do with the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene. All people with red hair are born with a mutation of the MC1R gene. That's not only what gives them flaming locks of auburn hair, but, according to a 2021 study, it also reduces the function of the gene. And those changes affect

https://dermnetnz.org/topics/melanocortin
Melanocortin 1 receptor gene, MCR1, Red hair, Melanoma risk, Genetics. Authoritative facts about the skin from DermNet New Zealand. Search DermNet Ctrl K. ... The high penetrance genes (namely, R151C, R160W, D294H and D84E) are denoted as 'R' and almost always result in red hair colour when homozygous (RR) [5-7].

https://www.geneticlifehacks.com/the-redhead-gene/
The MC1R (melanocortin-1 receptor) gene controls how much melanin vs pheomelanin is produced in the skin and hair. Genetic variants of MC1R produce different amounts of pheomelanin, with increased pheomelanin causing red hair and skin to be more photosensitive. Melanoma Risk for Red Hair:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10885670/
The melanocortin 1 receptor, a seven pass transmembrane G protein coupled receptor, is a key control point in melanogenesis. Loss-of-function mutations at the MC1R are associated with a switch from eumelanin to phaeomelanin production, resulting in a red or yellow coat colour. Activating mutations, in animals at least, lead to enhanced

https://dnascience.plos.org/2016/04/07/redhead-gene-doubles-melanoma-risk-without-sun/
Variants of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene impart the red hair, fair skin, and freckles of a Prince Harry, Wilma Flintstone, or Donald Trump - and also poorer protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation and therefore higher risk of developing skin cancers, including melanoma.But a study just published in JAMA Dermatology reveals that MC1R genotype alone more than doubles the risk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDWSS0A4D6s
MCR1 is one of the genes responsible for melanin production. Melanin determines aspects such as hair color and skin color. MCR1 has been implicated as the "r

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1362956/
The phenotype of nearly all red haired individuals can be traced to distinct mutations of the melanocortin-1 receptor gene (MC1R). 3-5 The human MC1R is expressed on the surface of melanocytes and is a key regulator of intracellular signaling to the melanin biosynthetic pathway governing pigment formation.

https://medlineplus.gov/download/genetics/gene/mc1r.pdf
The MC1R gene provides instructions for making a protein called the melanocortin 1 receptor. This receptor plays an important role in normal pigmentation. The receptor is primarily located on the surface of melanocytes, which are specialized cells that produce a pigment called melanin. Melanin is the substance that gives skin, hair, and eyes

https://www.howtobearedhead.com/ask-a-redhead-all-about-ginger-genetics/
The MC1R gene, which stands for melanocortin 1 receptor gene, is located on chromosome 16. Variations in this gene can influence pigmentation traits such as hair color, skin color, and susceptibility to sunburn. The MC1R gene plays a role in determining the pigmentation of hair, skin, and eye color. The chemical pigmentation is called melanin.

https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/red-hair-variants/about/background
The Red Hair Variants Project was created to collect data from members who carry at least one of a number of red hair variants on the MC1R (Melanocortin 1 Receptor) gene. The following MC1R red hair variants are included in Family Tree DNA Family Finder results: RefSNP. SNP Name. Alternate Name.

https://rse.org.uk/resource/ginger-myth-busting-seems-like-the-stereotype-is-spot-on/
Many of the genes that affected skin colour also affect hair colour, so the rise of pale skin in many cases resulted in red or blonde hair. One of these genes, called MC1R, is well known to be the major cause of red hair. Almost all people with red hair have inherited two genetic variants of MC1R, one from each parent.

https://www.rd.com/list/facts-about-redheads/
The MC1R (or melanocortin 1 receptor) gene determines hair, skin and eye color. If you're a redhead, your MC1R gene has a mutation—or possibly several. It's why redheads are so rare.