Association study of performance-related polymorphisms in Brazilian combat-sport athletes highlights variants in the GABPB1 gene

Author(s)

Guilherme, Joao Paulo L. F. ^[1] ; Souza-Junior, Tacito P. ^[2] ; Lancha Junior, Antonio H. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Lab Appl Nutr & Metab, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Parana, Dept Phys Educ, Res Grp Metab Nutr & Strength Training, Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Physiological Genomics; v. 53, n. 2, p. 47-50, FEB 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Combat sports are an intermittent sport, with mixed anaerobic and aerobic energy production. Here, we investigated whether the polymorphisms that have been previously suggested as genetic markers for endurance or power phenotypes were associated with combat-sport athletic status. A total of 23 previously reported performance-related polymorphisms were examined in a cohort of 1,129 Brazilian individuals (164 combat-sport athletes and 965 controls), using a case-control association study. We found that the GA-binding protein transcription factor subunit beta 1 (GABP beta 1) gene (also known as nuclear respiratory factor 2; NRF2) was associated with athletic status, with the minor G (rs7181866) and T (rs8031031) alleles overrepresented in athletes (P <= 0.003), especially among worldclass athletes (P <= 0.0002). These findings indicate that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the GABP beta 1 gene increase the likelihood of an individual being a combat-sport athlete, possibly because of a better mitochondrial response to intermittent exercises. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/22516-6 - Polygenic profile of Brazilian athletes: distribution of polymorphisms associated with physical performance
• Grantee: João Paulo Limongi França Guilherme
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate