The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in East and West African athletes.
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Date
2007-12
Authors
Yang, Nan
MacArthur, Daniel G
Wolde, Bezabhe
Onywera, V.O.
Boit, Michael K.
Lau, Sau Yin Mary-Ann
Wilson, Richard H
Scott, Robert A
Yannis, P
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Medicine and amp Science in Sports and amp Excersice
Abstract
To determine the frequency of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism (functional R allele and nonfunctional X allele) in a variety of African populations and to examine its influence on the success of elite East African endurance runners and West African sprinters.
The R577X polymorphism was genotyped in 198 Ethiopian controls and 76 elite Ethiopian endurance athletes, 158 Kenyan controls and 284 elite Kenyan endurance runners, and 60 Nigerian controls and 62 elite Nigerian power athletes. Statistical analyses were performed by exact tests of population differentiation, using Arlequin, version 3. Analyses were carried out using 1 x 10(6) Markov chain steps, and 1 x 10(5) dememorization steps.
The frequency of the X allele was extremely low among Kenyans and Nigerians (approximately 1% homozygosity) and higher in Ethiopians (approximately 11% homozygosity). The low baseline frequencies of the three populations tested mean that any associations with sprint performance would likely be obscured. In Ethiopians, where baseline levels of 577XX were about 11%, there was no increased frequency in the endurance athletes.
Our data suggest that alpha-actinin-3 deficiency is not a major influence on performance in African athletes.
Description
10.1249/mss.0b013e31814844c9 pp.1985-8
Keywords
Citation
Medicine and amp Science in Sports and amp Excersice (impact factor: 4.43). 12/2007; 39(11):1985-8