Moles are very common, especially in people with fair skin. Moles are overgrowths of skin cells called melanocytes, but the genetic factors involved in their development are not well understood. Although moles, like tumors, are an overgrowth of cells, moles are almost always noncancerous (benign). Perhaps because most moles are benign, scientists have not studied them extensively, and not much is known about their genetics. Similar numbers of moles seem to occur on individuals of different generations of a family, so a tendency to develop moles seems to be inherited, but the inheritance pattern is not well understood.
Most moles occur on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun (ultraviolet radiation), and the number of moles an individual has may increase after extended time in the sun. Moles usually begin to occur in childhood. These moles are called acquired melanocytic nevi (and include the subtype epidermal nevus). It is common for new moles to appear during times when hormone levels change, such as adolescence and pregnancy. During an individuals lifetime, moles may change in appearance; hair may grow out of them, and they can change in size and shape, darken, fade, or disappear. Infants and the elderly tend to have the fewest moles.
Sometimes, moles are present at birth or develop during infancy. These moles, which are called congenital nevi, are almost always benign. Rarely, a very large mole, called a giant congenital melanocytic nevus, is present at birth. In rare cases, the most serious type of skin cancer (called melanoma) may develop in this type of mole.
Large, irregularly shaped and colored moles called dysplastic nevi or atypical moles can occur at any age. Although not common, they tend to be numerous, and they increase a persons risk of melanoma. Heredity contributes to the development of dysplastic nevi and to having a higher-than-average number of benign moles. Spending a lot of time in the sun can also increase the number of moles a person has. However, moles are often found on areas of the body that are not exposed, which suggests that factors other than ultraviolet radiation from the sun, perhaps hormones or other biologic processes, are involved in triggering the development of acquired melanocytic nevi and dysplastic nevi.
Although the genetics of melanoma has been widely studied, much less is known about genes involved in the development of benign moles. Variations in several genes, including FGFR3, PIK3CA, HRAS, and BRAF, are involved with benign moles. The most-studied of these is the BRAF gene. A mutation in BRAF leads to the production of an altered protein that causes melanocytes to aggregate into moles. This altered protein also triggers the production of a tumor-suppressor protein called p15 that stops moles from growing too big. In rare cases, BRAF mutations together with deletion of the CDKN2A gene causes a lack of p15, which creates the potential for mole cells to grow uncontrollably and become cancerous (malignant). The formation of cancer is increasingly likely when combined with environmental factors, such as cell damage caused by ultraviolet radiation exposure.
In susceptible individuals (those with fair skin, light hair, skin that burns instead of tans, a family history of melanoma, and genetic risk factors such as deletion of or mutations in the CDKN2A gene), ultraviolet radiation from repeated sun exposure can damage existing moles, increasing their risk of becoming malignant. Research has shown that individuals who have an abundance of moles are at an increased risk of melanoma. However, some people who are diagnosed with melanoma have few moles, and melanoma often develops in areas of the body that are not exposed to the sun. Researchers are working to identify additional susceptibility genes to better understand the genetics of moles and their relationship with cancer.
Plasmeijer EI, Nguyen TM, Olsen CM, Janda M, Soyer HP, Green AC. The natural history of common melanocytic nevi: a systematic review of longitudinal studies in the general population. J Invest Dermatol. 2017 Sep;137(9):2017-2018. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.03.040. Epub 2017 May 18. PubMed: 28528913.
Roh MR, Eliades P, Gupta S, Tsao H. Genetics of melanocytic nevi. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2015 Nov;28(6):661-72. doi: 10.1111/pcmr.12412. PubMed: 26300491. Free full-text available from PubMed Central: PMC4609613.
Silva JH1, S BC, Avila AL, Landman G, Duprat Neto JP. Atypical mole syndrome and dysplastic nevi: identification of populations at risk for developing melanoma - review article. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011;66(3):493-9. PubMed: 21552679. Free full-text available from PubMed Central: PMC3072014.
Here is the original post:
Are moles determined by genetics? - Genetics Home ...
- 001 Salk News Clip - Long Lived Fruit Flies (KPBS) - Video [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- 002 Seen At 11: Could The Next Generation Live To Be 150? [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2012]
- 003 Combating Aging's Ravages - Advances in Minnesota and France - Video [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2012]
- 004 Immortal worms defy aging [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- 005 Immortal worms defy ageing [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- 006 The 27th Colloque Médecine et Recherche of the Fondation Ipsen in the Alzheimer Disease series: “Proteopathic Seeds ... [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2012]
- 007 Biostem U.S., Corporation Continues Building Its Scientific and Medical Board of Advisors With Appointment of Leading ... [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2012]
- 008 Biostem U.S., Corporation Adds Jeanne Ann Lumadue, MD, PhD, MBA to Its Scientific and Medical Board of Advisors [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2012]
- 009 Longevity Science: Unraveling the Secrets of Human ... [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2015]
- 010 LongevityMap: Genetic association studies of longevity [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2015]
- 011 Genetics and Aging - The Genetic Theory of Aging [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2015]
- 012 To Measure Longevity, Common Sense Trumps Genetic Test [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2015]
- 013 Scientists seek genetic clues to longevity from 115-year ... [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2015]
- 014 Telomeres and Aging - Understanding Cellular Aging [Last Updated On: May 29th, 2015] [Originally Added On: May 29th, 2015]
- 015 Longevity genetics study retracted from Science | WIRED [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2015]
- 016 Genetics of Human Longevity - Longevity Science [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2015]
- 017 Longevity genes - Supercentenarian [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2015] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2015]
- 018 Overview | Institute for Aging Research | Albert Einstein ... [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2015]
- 019 Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cow Longevity - eXtension [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2015]
- 020 Genetic determinants of exceptional human longevity ... [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2015]
- 021 Secrets of Aging, Long Life, longevity Genes [Last Updated On: July 11th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 11th, 2015]
- 022 Fine-Tuning Your Longevity Genes | Life Code [Last Updated On: July 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 20th, 2015]
- 023 LonGenity and Longevity Genes Project [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2015]
- 024 Biology of Aging | National Institute on Aging [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2015]
- 025 Genetics, lifestyle and longevity: Lessons from centenarians [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2015]
- 026 Resveratrol By RevGenetics Resveratrol Benefits, Anti ... [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2015]
- 027 Genetics Articles - Bodybuilding.com [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2015]
- 028 Genetic Anti-Aging and Health: Creating REAL Results by ... [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2015]
- 029 5 Ways to Prevent a First Heart Attack - Verywell [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 030 Genes Linked to the Effect of Stress and Mood on Longevity ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 031 SPH - Boston University School of Public Health [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 032 Power 9 - Blue Zones [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 033 Human longevity: Genetics or Lifestyle? It takes two to ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 034 Is Longevity Entirely Hereditary? - BEN BEST [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 035 Veritas Genetics - Committed to disease prevention, early ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 036 GENETICS: Is aging in our genes? - nia.nih.gov [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 037 Aging, genetics and longevity drugs - biopsychiatry.com [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 038 Longevity, how to live longer with diet, food, and dietary ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 039 Genetics of Longevity in Model Organisms: Debates and ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 040 The Okinawa Centenarian Study : Evidence based gerontology [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 041 Can Humans Live Forever? Longevity Research Suggests ... [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2016]
- 042 Genetics of longevity and aging. [Last Updated On: August 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 13th, 2016]
- 043 Genetic Secrets Of Longevity Discovered | IFLScience [Last Updated On: August 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 13th, 2016]
- 044 Longevity Genes Project | Institute for Aging Research ... [Last Updated On: August 15th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 15th, 2016]
- 045 Ageing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2016]
- 046 Supercourse: Epidemiology, the Internet, and Global Health [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2016]
- 047 Population Reference Bureau (PRB) [Last Updated On: November 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2016]
- 048 normande genetics: sustainable genetics that breed quality [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- 049 Medical genetics of Jews - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 1st, 2016]
- 050 Ashkenazi Jews - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2016]
- 051 Ageing - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2016]
- 052 Drosophila melanogaster - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2016]
- 053 Lamarckism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2017]
- 054 68-Year Study: Childhood Intelligence and Longevity Related - Newsmax [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2017]
- 055 There's No Known Limit To How Long Humans Can Live | Time.com - TIME [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2017]
- 056 Could a High IQ Mean a Longer Life? - Sioux City Journal [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2017]
- 057 Researchers Find Genetic Mutation That Encourages Longevity In Men - Yeshiva World News [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2017]
- 058 Haifa U Researchers Find Genetic Mutation that Encourages Longevity in Men - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2017]
- 059 11 Basic Guidelines for General Health and Longevity ... [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2017]
- 060 This Study Could Help Extend the Human Lifespan - Futurism [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2017]
- 061 Sharks could hold genetic secret to long life: Study - The Hindu [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2017]
- 062 Longevity Genes Predict Whether You'll Live Past 100 [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2017]
- 063 Study probes Greenland sharks' secret to long life - NATIONAL - The ... - The Hindu [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2017]
- 064 Swiss-led research team identifies new life-expectancy markers - The Hans India [Last Updated On: July 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 30th, 2017]
- 065 16 Genetic Markers Linked to Lifespan | Worldhealth.net Anti-Aging ... - Anti Aging News [Last Updated On: July 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 30th, 2017]
- 066 Mutation explains why some men live to 100 - ISRAEL21c [Last Updated On: July 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 30th, 2017]
- 067 How to live old - The Sherbrooke Times [Last Updated On: July 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 30th, 2017]
- 068 The 16 genetic markers that can cut a life story short - Medical Xpress - Medical Xpress [Last Updated On: July 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 30th, 2017]
- 069 Health Shorts: Stem cell 'cures,' Sugar spike, Longevity - Sarasota Herald-Tribune [Last Updated On: July 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 30th, 2017]
- 070 23 People That Lived to 100 Spill Their Secrets of Longevity [Last Updated On: July 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 30th, 2017]
- 071 An extra dose of this longevity hormone helped make mice smarter - Popular Science [Last Updated On: August 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 8th, 2017]
- 072 EDITORIAL: 99%, My Life Sucks, Dogfighting, and Brady's Brain - GoLocalProv [Last Updated On: August 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 8th, 2017]
- 073 Genetic strategies to reduce gilt feed and development costs - National Hog Farmer [Last Updated On: August 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 14th, 2017]
- 074 Kahn Longevity Center [Last Updated On: August 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 19th, 2017]
- 075 Media's Anti-Aging Agenda without the Benefit of Scientific Evidence, Fact or Common Sense - Anti Aging News [Last Updated On: August 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 19th, 2017]
- 076 Genetic mutation explains why some men live to 100 - Jewish Journal [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2017]
- 077 This 23-year-old just closed her second fund which is focused on ... - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2017]
- 078 Do Low Calorie Diets Help You Live Longer? - Healthline [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2017]
- 079 The 5 Aging Startups Backed by Longevity Fund - Nanalyze [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2017]
- 080 The Genetic Theory of Aging - Concepts and Evidence [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2017]