Expressive

rs11138885 (RPS19P6/RPS20P25): Male Pattern Baldness

Key takeaways

  • rs11138885 is one of 624 genetic loci linked to male pattern baldness in over 205,000 European men
  • The nearby genes RPS19P6 and RPS20P25 are pseudogenes, non-coding copies of ribosomal protein genes that do not produce working proteins
  • Male pattern baldness has a pedigree-heritability of 0.62, meaning genetics explains most variation in this trait
  • The genetics of male pattern baldness show unexpected links to bone mineral density (rg = 0.15) and pancreatic beta-cell function (rg = 0.12)

Key takeaways

  • rs11138885 is one of 624 genome-wide loci linked to male pattern baldness in a study of over 205,000 European men
  • The nearby genes RPS19P6 and RPS20P25 are pseudogenes, non-coding genomic sequences that resemble ribosomal protein genes but do not produce working proteins
  • Male pattern baldness has a pedigree-heritability of 0.62, meaning genetics accounts for a large share of variation in this trait
  • The collective genetics of male pattern baldness show unexpected correlations with bone mineral density and pancreatic beta-cell function

What the research says rs11138885, located near the pseudogenes RPS19P6 (ribosomal protein S19 pseudogene 6) and RPS20P25 (ribosomal protein S20 pseudogene 25), was identified as one of 624 near-independent genome-wide loci associated with male pattern baldness (MPB, also called androgenetic alopecia) in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 205,327 European males from the UK Biobank. The study estimates a pedigree-heritability of 0.62 (SE = 0.03) and SNP-heritability (the proportion of phenotypic variation explained by common genetic variants) of 0.39 (SE = 0.01) for MPB, with the 624 identified loci collectively accounting for a SNP-heritability of 0.25 (SE = 0.01). At the trait level, the genetic architecture of MPB shows correlations with bone mineral density (genetic correlation rg = 0.15) and pancreatic beta-cell function (rg = 0.12), a pattern consistent with pleiotropy, where overlapping genetic factors influence multiple distinct traits.

Reported associations

  • Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia): rs11138885 is among 624 near-independent loci reaching genome-wide significance in a GWAS of 205,327 European males from the UK Biobank; no individual effect size for this specific variant is reported in the available study text
  • Bone mineral density (trait-level genetic correlation): The MPB genetic architecture as a whole shows a genetic correlation of rg = 0.15 with bone mineral density; this reflects shared genetic factors across traits rather than a direct association attributed to rs11138885 alone
  • Pancreatic beta-cell function (trait-level genetic correlation): A genetic correlation of rg = 0.12 was observed between the MPB genetic architecture and pancreatic beta-cell function; this is likewise a trait-level finding, not a per-locus association
  • Earlier puberty markers (trait-level genetic correlation): The MPB genetic architecture correlates with sex-limited markers of earlier puberty, though specific correlation coefficients are not itemized per locus in the available text

Evidence quality The association evidence comes from a single large GWAS (n = 205,327 European males, UK Biobank). Overall MPB heritability is well-characterized, with pedigree-heritability of 0.62 (SE = 0.03) and SNP-heritability of 0.39 (SE = 0.01); the 624 identified loci collectively explain a SNP-heritability of 0.25 (SE = 0.01). The sample is restricted to males of European ancestry, limiting generalizability to other ancestries and sexes. The individual effect size and p-value for rs11138885 specifically are not reported in the available text, so its independent contribution to MPB cannot be quantified from the data provided. The pleiotropic genetic correlations with bone mineral density and pancreatic function are based on genetic correlation analyses rather than direct functional evidence and should be considered preliminary.

Lifestyle considerations No lifestyle considerations on file for this variant.

Frequently asked questions

What is rs11138885?

rs11138885 is a genetic variant located near two pseudogenes called RPS19P6 and RPS20P25. It was identified in a large genome-wide association study as one of 624 loci linked to male pattern baldness in over 205,000 European men.

What genes are near rs11138885?

The variant sits near RPS19P6 and RPS20P25, both of which are pseudogenes. Pseudogenes are genomic sequences that resemble functional genes but do not produce working proteins.

Is rs11138885 linked to male pattern baldness?

Yes, it was identified as one of 624 near-independent genome-wide loci associated with male pattern baldness in a study of 205,327 European men from the UK Biobank. The specific effect size for this variant alone is not available in the study text reviewed here.

Does the research show any connections beyond hair loss?

The collective genetics of male pattern baldness show genetic correlations with bone mineral density (rg = 0.15) and pancreatic beta-cell function (rg = 0.12). These are trait-level population correlations, not evidence of a direct causal link for this specific variant.

How strong is the evidence for this variant?

The study is well-powered with over 205,000 men, but the individual effect size and statistical significance of rs11138885 are not reported in the available study text. Its specific contribution to hair loss risk cannot be precisely quantified from the data reviewed here.