In the search of a 'fitness gene': an analysis of ACTN gene polymorphisms in serving soldiers.

Autor: Moorchung N; Assistant Director, Institute of Bioinformatics, International Tech Park, Bengaluru 560066, India., Puri B; Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, O/o DGAFMS, Ministry of Defence, 'M' Block, New Delhi 110001, India., Bhatti V; Director (H) AFMS, O/o DGAFMS, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi, India., Lahareesh BL; RMO, 60 Para Field Hosp, C/o 56 APO, India., Singh SP; DADMS, HQ CE (P) Swastik, C/o 99 APO, India., Sitaram WT; Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411040, India.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Medical journal, Armed Forces India [Med J Armed Forces India] 2019 Jul; Vol. 75 (3), pp. 246-250. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Jul 31.
DOI: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2019.07.004
Abstrakt: Background: Genetic polymorphisms in the exon 15 and exon 16 of the ACTN3 gene are believed to be associated with athletic performance. Paratroopers are some of the fittest soldiers in the Indian Armed Forces. This study was taken up to assess if there was a significant difference in the genetic profile between paratroopers and non-paratroopers.
Method: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction length fragment polymorphism (RFLP) was used to analyse the genetic polymorphisms in the exon 15 and 16 of the ACTN3 gene.
Results: There was a significant difference between paratroopers and non-paratroopers in the polymorphic loci at codon 15 and 16.
Conclusions: The study suggests that there is a significant difference in the genotype between paratroopers and non-paratroopers. It is likely that the differences in muscle fibres as a result of these genotypic changes confer a 'survival advantage'; people with a homozygous genotype are more likely to pass the harsh probation and qualify for the Parachute Regiment.
Databáze: MEDLINE
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