LPAR6 rs1362126: Genetics of Hair Texture and Curliness
The genetic variant rs1362126 is a single-nucleotide polymorphism located in the lysophosphatidic acid receptor 6 (LPAR6) gene. Research links this variant to subtle differences in hair shaft architecture, follicle biology, and general hair curliness in human populations. Because its observed impact on personal appearance is modest and complex, the evidence linking rs1362126 to everyday hair texture is classified as limited.
What each genotype means
Typical hair texture profile
This genotype represents the most common form of the LPAR6 gene variant in many populations. Research suggests this version of the gene is associated with standard hair follicle development and typical hair texture characteristics.
This is the most frequent genotype in European populations, where the minor allele frequency is approximately 0.35.
Common hair texture variant
Carrying one copy of the T allele is associated with variations in hair curliness and follicle texture. Because this is a common variant, it is considered a normal part of human genetic diversity rather than a clinical condition.
This heterozygous genotype is found in a significant portion of the European population, consistent with a minor allele frequency of approximately 0.35.
Alternative hair texture profile
Individuals with this genotype carry two copies of the T allele, which has been linked in studies to specific variations in hair curliness. While LPAR6 is involved in hair follicle development, this specific common variant is associated with natural trait variation rather than the rare, severe, biallelic mutations that cause conditions like autosomal recessive hypotrichosis.
This genotype is less common than the CC or CT genotypes in European populations, occurring at a frequency expected for a variant with a 0.35 minor allele frequency.
Genomic Location and Variant Characteristics
The single-nucleotide polymorphism rs1362126 is positioned on human chromosome 13 within the LPAR6 locus. According to reference genomic annotations in dbSNP and Ensembl, the variant represents a common base substitution in a coding-associated regulatory region of the gene. LPAR6 is unique structurally because it nests within an internal intron of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene (RB1) on the opposite strand. Variants in this locus can subtly modulate transcript abundance or splicing efficiency. Unlike high-impact coding disruptions that cause severe structural alterations in hair shafts, rs1362126 is a polymorphic marker that co-segregates with regular, non-pathological morphological diversity across human populations.
Biological Function of the LPAR6 Receptor
The LPAR6 gene (formerly recognized as P2RY5) provides the biological template for lysophosphatidic acid receptor 6 (LPA6). As detailed by [MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/lpar6/), LPA6 is a specialized G protein-coupled receptor uniquely concentrated within human hair follicles and the outermost epidermal skin layers. The receptor interacts specifically with bioactive lipids, primarily lysophosphatidic acid, acting as an essential molecular switch for signaling cascades that regulate the proliferation and differentiation of follicular cells. Through downstream pathways like Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, LPA6 orchestrates proper follicle anchoring and structural formation. Disruptions in this pathway alter the geometry of the hair bulb, influencing whether a strand emerges straight or with varying degrees of curl.
Research Evidence and Clinical Distinctions
Scientific investigations into hair curliness have demonstrated that human hair texture is highly polygenic, with broad-sense heritability estimated between 85% and 95% in twin studies. While monogenic, loss-of-function mutations in LPAR6 cause distinct Mendelian conditions—such as autosomal recessive woolly hair or hypotrichosis—common polymorphisms like rs1362126 operate on a very different scale. Genome-wide association and candidate-gene studies suggest that common variation in LPAR6 exerts subtle, cumulative effects on the curve of the follicle. However, published associations for rs1362126 remain classified as limited in strength because common hair texture is heavily driven by epistatic networks across multiple genes, including TCHH, WNT10A, and EDAR.
Population Prevalence and Allele Distribution
Populations across the globe exhibit significant differences in the distribution of rs1362126 alleles. In populations of European ancestry, reference datasets like gnomAD report a minor allele frequency of approximately 0.35, making both homozygous and heterozygous genotypes common. In contrast, frequencies vary widely across non-European continental groups, where other distinct genomic loci often predominate in shaping regional hair shaft morphotypes, such as the prominent EDAR pathways observed in East Asian populations. These variations emphasize that rs1362126 contributes to the natural gradient of phenotypic human diversity rather than representing any deleterious state.
Navigating Personal Genomic Insights
Discovering one's genotype at rs1362126 offers an interesting glimpse into the polygenic nature of physical appearance, but it cannot be used as a deterministic predictor of hair texture. A single SNP accounts for only a minor fraction of the overall variance in hair curliness, which is shaped by dozens of independent genetic loci working in concert with environmental factors, hair care habits, and hormonal changes. It is also important to separate this common trait marker from rare clinical syndromes; carrying an allele at rs1362126 does not indicate a diagnosis of hypotrichosis or woolly hair disease. This genetic information serves an educational purpose regarding human biology rather than a medical tool.
How common is this variant?
The minor allele for rs1362126 occurs at a frequency of approximately 0.35 (35%) in European populations, while varying substantially in frequency among global continental groups in the gnomAD database.
Frequently asked questions
Does my rs1362126 genotype guarantee that I will have curly hair?
No, your genotype at rs1362126 cannot definitively predict your hair type. Hair texture is a complex, polygenic trait influenced by dozens of genes across the genome alongside environmental treatments and age. This single variant contributes only a minor statistical influence on hair follicle curvature.
Is the rs1362126 variant associated with hair loss or balding?
No, rs1362126 is a benign common variant associated with normal variations in hair texture, not patterned hair loss. While severe loss-of-function mutations in the LPAR6 gene can cause rare conditions like hypotrichosis, standard polymorphic variants like rs1362126 are not considered causes of alopecia.
What is the biological role of the LPAR6 gene?
The LPAR6 gene provides instructions to make a cell surface receptor called LPA6, which binds lysophosphatidic acid. This receptor is active within hair follicles, where it helps regulate cellular growth and differentiation necessary for shaping the hair shaft.
Can I use rs1362126 to choose hair products or treatments?
Genetic markers like rs1362126 are not currently actionable for choosing specific hair care products. Practical hair care routines are best guided by the observable physical characteristics of your hair, such as porosity, thickness, and moisture levels, rather than single-nucleotide polymorphisms.
Sources & further reading
Educational information only, last refreshed 9/6/2026. Not medical advice — these associations describe population statistics, not individual predictions.
Curious what your genotype is for rs1362126?
Upload a raw DNA file from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, or FamilyTreeDNA and see this variant — plus thousands more — interpreted in your full report.
Get my report — $29