Health Topics

Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

You Are Here:
Home →
Genetics →
Genes →
LPAR6 gene
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/lpar6/

LPAR6 gene

lysophosphatidic acid receptor 6

Normal Function

The LPAR6 gene provides instructions for making a protein called lysophosphatidic acid receptor 6 (LPA6). This protein functions as a receptor. Receptor proteins have particular sites into which certain other proteins, called ligands, fit like keys into locks. A specific fat called lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is the ligand for the LPA6 protein. LPA can attach to many receptors, but LPA6 is the only LPA receptor found in hair follicles. Hair follicles are specialized structures in the skin where hair growth occurs. As the cells in the hair follicle divide, the hair strand (shaft) is pushed upward and extends beyond the skin, causing the hair to grow. The LPA6 protein is also found in the outermost layer of skin (the epidermis). Attachment of LPA to LPA6 helps regulate the growth and division (proliferation) and maturation (differentiation) of cells in the hair follicle.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Autosomal recessive hypotrichosis

More than 30 LPAR6 gene mutations have been found to cause autosomal recessive hypotrichosis, a condition that results in sparse hair growth (hypotrichosis) on the scalp and, less frequently, other parts of the body. Some mutations are specific to populations with Pakistani ancestry. LPAR6 gene mutations lead to the production of an abnormal LPA6 protein that cannot bind to LPA to regulate cell proliferation and differentiation within hair follicles. As a result, hair follicles are structurally abnormal and often underdeveloped. Irregular hair follicles alter the structure and growth of hair shafts, leading to fragile hair that breaks easily. A lack of LPA6 protein function in the epidermis likely contributes to the skin problems sometimes seen in individuals with autosomal recessive hypotrichosis.

More About This Health Condition

Other disorders

Mutations in the LPAR6 gene can also cause a hair condition called autosomal recessive woolly hair. People with this condition have hair that is unusually coarse, dry, fine, and tightly curled. Woolly hair typically affects only scalp hair and is present from birth. In some cases, affected individuals develop hypotrichosis as they get older. Certain LPAR6 gene mutations cause autosomal recessive woolly hair in some people and autosomal recessive hypotrichosis (described above) in others, even among members of the same family. Because of a shared genetic cause and overlapping features, it is uncertain whether these two conditions are separate disorders or part of the same disease spectrum.

Other Names for This Gene

  • G-protein coupled purinergic receptor P2Y5
  • LPA receptor 6
  • LPA-6
  • LPAR6_HUMAN
  • oleoyl-L-alpha-lysophosphatidic acid receptor
  • P2RY5
  • P2Y purinoceptor 5
  • P2Y5
  • purinergic receptor 5
  • purinergic receptor P2Y G protein-coupled protein 5
  • purinergic receptor P2Y, G-protein coupled, 5
  • RB intron encoded G-protein coupled receptor

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Azeem Z, Jelani M, Naz G, Tariq M, Wasif N, Kamran-Ul-Hassan Naqvi S, Ayub M, Yasinzai M, Amin-Ud-Din M, Wali A, Ali G, Chishti MS, Ahmad W. Novel mutations in G protein-coupled receptor gene (P2RY5) in families with autosomal recessive hypotrichosis (LAH3). Hum Genet. 2008 Jun;123(5):515-9. doi: 10.1007/s00439-008-0507-7. Epub 2008 May 7. Citation on PubMed
  • Khan S, Habib R, Mir H, Umm-e-Kalsoom, Naz G, Ayub M, Shafique S, Yamin T, Ali N, Basit S, Wasif N, Kamran-Ul-Hassan Naqvi S, Ali G, Wali A, Ansar M, Ahmad W. Mutations in the LPAR6 and LIPH genes underlie autosomal recessive hypotrichosis/woolly hair in 17 consanguineous families from Pakistan. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2011 Aug;36(6):652-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2011.04014.x. Epub 2011 Mar 21. Citation on PubMed
  • Kurban M, Wajid M, Shimomura Y, Christiano AM. Mutations in LPAR6/P2RY5 and LIPH are associated with woolly hair and/or hypotrichosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013 May;27(5):545-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2012.04472.x. Epub 2012 Mar 5. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Pasternack SM, von Kugelgen I, Al Aboud K, Lee YA, Ruschendorf F, Voss K, Hillmer AM, Molderings GJ, Franz T, Ramirez A, Nurnberg P, Nothen MM, Betz RC. G protein-coupled receptor P2Y5 and its ligand LPA are involved in maintenance of human hair growth. Nat Genet. 2008 Mar;40(3):329-34. doi: 10.1038/ng.84. Epub 2008 Feb 24. Citation on PubMed
  • Shimomura Y, Wajid M, Ishii Y, Shapiro L, Petukhova L, Gordon D, Christiano AM. Disruption of P2RY5, an orphan G protein-coupled receptor, underlies autosomal recessive woolly hair. Nat Genet. 2008 Mar;40(3):335-9. doi: 10.1038/ng.100. Epub 2008 Feb 24. Citation on PubMed
  • Tariq M, Ayub M, Jelani M, Basit S, Naz G, Wasif N, Raza SI, Naveed AK, ullah Khan S, Azeem Z, Yasinzai M, Wali A, Ali G, Chishti MS, Ahmad W. Mutations in the P2RY5 gene underlie autosomal recessive hypotrichosis in 13 Pakistani families. Br J Dermatol. 2009 May;160(5):1006-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09046.x. Epub 2009 Mar 9. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.