What Are Freckles?
4. Genetics
Freckles have been associated with the presence of the MC1R gene. Individuals with a high number of freckles often have one or more variants of the MC1R gene such as the Arg160Trp gene, Arg151Cys gene, and Asp294His gene. Individuals with the MC1R gene also have a higher likelihood of having red hair as the variants causing the red hair also cause freckles.
Freckles can also be found in those without red hair. These can be seen in certain areas such as Japan where these individuals have the Val92Met variant. The genetic distribution can be traced back to the time when humans started to leave Africa, resulting in variants of the MC1R gene. The Val92Met gene can be found in central Asia as it started between 250,000 to 100,000 years ago.
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