LPAR6

Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 6 also known as LPA6, P2RY5, and GPR87, is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the LPAR6 is_associated_with::gene. LPA6 is a is_associated_with::G protein-coupled receptor that binds the lipid signaling molecule is_associated_with::lysophosphatidic acid (LPA).

Role in hair growth/loss
In February 2008 researchers at the is_associated_with::University of Bonn announced they have found the genetic basis of two distinct forms of inherited hair loss, opening a broad path to treatments for baldness. They found that mutations in the gene P2RY5 causes a rare, inherited form of is_associated_with::hair loss called is_associated_with::Hypotrichosis simplex. It is the first receptor in humans known to play a role in hair growth. The fact that any receptor plays a specific role in hair growth was previously unknown to scientists and with this new knowledge a focus on finding more of these genes may be able to lead to therapies for many different types of hair loss.