title: No association of the ACTN3 gene R577X polymorphism with endurance performance in Ironman Triathlons.
abstract: Alpha-actinins are major structural components of the Z-discs in skeletal muscle. Alpha-actinin 3 is encoded by the ACTN3 gene and is expressed only in type II muscle fibres. Homozygosity for the nonsense mutation, 577X, within ACTN3 results in deficiency of alpha-actinin-3 but does not result in an abnormal muscular phenotype. Previous research has found an association of the 577R allele with sprinting and/or power performance. It has also been suggested that the 577X allele may confer an advantage during endurance events. Four hundred and fifty seven Caucasian male triathletes who completed either the 2000 and/or 2001 226 km South African Ironman Triathlons, and 143 Caucasian controls, were genotyped for the R577X mutation within the ACTN3 gene. There were no significant differences in either the genotype (P = 0.486) or allele (P = 0.375) frequencies within the fastest, middle of the field or slowest Caucasian male finishers and the control population. In conclusion, the R577X polymorphism within the ACTN3 gene was not associated with ultra-endurance performance in the 2000 and 2001 South African Ironman Triathlons.
authors.affiliation: MRC/UCT Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine of the Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: September
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Xenophontos
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cariolou
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Anastassiades
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Noakes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000185:Actinin / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001483:Base Sequence; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018389:Codon, Nonsense; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D013019:South Africa; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C118456:ACTN3 protein, human; D018389:Codon, Nonsense; D017931:DNA Primers; D000185:Actinin