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COPB2

A Genetic Link Between Cell Survival & Male-Pattern Baldness (COPB2)

Written by Shany Lahan, MS (Neuroscience) on December 14th, 2020

COPB2 codes for a protein that may help promote cell survival and thus, protect against hair loss. Read more to find out how variants of COPB2 may induce male-pattern baldness.

Summary

COPB2 codes for beta'‐COP, a protein that promotes cell survival by stimulating the cell death regulator bcl-2. Variants of COPB2 may play a role in male-pattern baldness by dysregulating the production of beta'‐COP and bcl-2. Lifestyle and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by slightly increasing or preventing a decrease in bcl-2 production.

COPB2 and Male-Pattern Baldness

The COPB2 gene codes for COPI coat complex subunit beta 2 (beta'‐COP), a protein involved in the transport of other proteins within cells [R].

While the mechanism is unclear, beta'‐COP has been reported to increase production of the cell death regulator bcl-2 [R].

Bcl-2 may be essential for regulating the hair growth cycle, in which hair grows within a follicle, detaches from the follicle, and falls out. Cell growth and expansion (proliferation) and cell death must remain balanced in order for this cycle to be maintained [R].

In line with this, bcl-2 production has been reported to be increased during hair growth and decreased during hair detachment [R].

Interestingly, mice that lack bcl-2 experience slower rates of hair growth, while mice that produce excess bcl-2 experience accelerated hair loss — suggesting that bcl-2 must remain balanced for normal hair cycling [R].

Variants of COPB2 have been associated with male-pattern baldness. These variants may dysregulate the production of beta'‐COP and bcl-2, resulting in hair cycle perturbation [R, R, R, R].

Your COPB2 Results for Male-Pattern Baldness

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs10212419
rs7642536

Primary SNP:

COPB2 rs10212419 [R]

‘G’ = Higher odds of male-pattern baldness, relative to ‘A’
‘A’ = Lower odds of male-pattern baldness, relative to ‘G’

Other Important SNP:

COPB2 rs7642536 [R, R, R, R]

‘C’ = Higher odds of male-pattern baldness
‘T’ = Not associated with male-pattern baldness

Recommendations

Lifestyle

Avoid Cigarettes

Cigarettes have been shown to decrease the production of bcl-2, thereby promoting cell death and potentially worsening the effects of COPB2 risk variants [R, R, R].

Several studies have associated smoking with an approximately 2-fold increased risk of male-pattern baldness. Cigarette smoke may cause oxidative and inflammatory damage in the hair follicles, impair hair growth, and reduce female sex hormone levels. A study found that the combination of smoking with being overweight increased male-pattern baldness severity [R, R, R, R, R].

Cigarettes may decrease the production of bcl-2. Avoiding cigarettes may help prevent male-pattern baldness by avoiding a decrease in bcl-2 and promoting cell survival.

Supplements

L-Carnitine

Multiple studies have demonstrated that L-carnitine may prevent cell death by increasing the production of bcl-2 [R, R, R].

Indeed, in a trial of men and women with hair loss caused by male sex hormones, topical application of a solution with 2% L-carnitine for 6 months increased hair density and the proportion of hairs in the active growth phase. L-carnitine promoted hair follicle cell growth while preventing their death [R, R].

In a trial of men and women with signs of hair loss, two similar commercial solutions containing L-carnitine, gamma-linolenic acid, and a compound from soybean (equol) increased both hair count and the proportion of hairs in the active growth phase after 1-6 months of application [R].

L-carnitine may help manage male-pattern baldness by increasing the production of bcl-2, preventing cell death, and promoting hair follicle cell growth.

Saw Palmetto

In a study of mice with hair loss, saw palmetto extract promoted hair regrowth and elevated hair density, weight, and thickness by increasing the production of bcl-2 [R].

In 3 studies of men with male-pattern baldness, topical saw palmetto products applied for up to 2 years increased hair growth without major adverse effects [R, R, R].

In a small trial of men with male-pattern baldness, oral capsules with saw palmetto extract and beta-sitosterol improved hair density in 60% of those who took them [R].

Saw palmetto may help manage male-pattern baldness by increasing the production of bcl-2 and promoting hair regrowth.

Shany Lahan

MS (Neuroscience)

Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.

Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer’s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing – as well as help them understand the science behind it all.

Disclaimer

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other official medical body. This information is presented for educational purposes only, and may not be used to diagnose or treat any illness or disease.

Also keep in mind that the “Risk Score” presented in this post is based only on a select number of SNPs, and therefore only represents a small portion of your total risk as an individual. Furthermore, these analyses are based primarily on associational studies, which do not necessarily imply causation. Finally, many other (non-genetic) factors can also play a significant role in the development of a disease or health condition — therefore, carrying any of the risk-associated genotypes discussed in this post does not necessarily mean you are at increased risk of developing a major health condition.

Always consult your doctor before acting on any information or recommendations discussed in this post — especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have been officially diagnosed with a medical condition.

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Summary COPB2 and Male-Pattern Baldness Your COPB2 Results for Male-Pattern Baldness

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A Genetic Link Between Cell Survival & Male-Pattern Baldness (COPB2)

Summary

COPB2 and Male-Pattern Baldness

Your COPB2 Results for Male-Pattern Baldness

SNP Table

Recommendations

Lifestyle

Avoid Cigarettes

Supplements

L-Carnitine

Saw Palmetto

Disclaimer

More skin & beauty blogs

Content

Unlock Personalized Results And So Much More!

Essential Bundle

Essential

Bundle

Ultimate Bundle

Limited Time Offer 25% Off

Individual DNA Reports

Methylation Pathway - MTHFR Test

Histamine Intolerance DNA Pathway Report

Gut Health, Digestion & IBS DNA Report

Autoimmune Disease Risk & Prevention DNA Report

See all reports

Policies

About

Navigation

Health reports