MCT1 A1470T: a novel polymorphism for sprint performance?
OBJECTIVE
The A1470T polymorphism (rs1049434) in the monocarboxylate (lactate/pyruvate) transporter 1 gene (MCT1) has been suggested to influence athletic performance in the general population. We compared genotype distributions and allele frequencies of the MCT1 gene A1470T polymorphism between endurance athletes, sprint/power athletes and matched controls. We also examined the association between the MCT1 A1470T and the athletes' competition level ('elite' and 'national' level).


METHODS
The study involved endurance athletes (n=112), sprint/power athletes (n=100), and unrelated sedentary controls (n=621), all Caucasians.


METHODS
Genomic DNA was extracted from buccal epithelium using a standard protocol. We conducted Fisher's exact tests and multinomial logistic regression analyses to assess the association between MCT1 genotype and athletic status/competition level.


RESULTS
Sprint/power athletes were more likely than controls to possess the minor T allele (TT genotype compared to the AA [p<0.001]; TT or AT compared to the AA [p=0.007]; TT compared to both AA and AT genotypes [p<0.001]). Likewise, sprint/power athletes were more likely than endurance athletes to have the TT genotype compared to the AA (p=0.029) and the TT compared to both AA and AT genotypes (p=0.027). Furthermore, elite sprint/power athletes were more likely than national-level athletes to have the TT genotype compared to the AA (p=0.044), and more likely to have the TT genotype compared to both AA and AT genotypes (recessive model) (p=0.045).


CONCLUSIONS
The MCT1 TT genotype is associated with elite sprint/power athletic status. Future studies are encouraged to replicate these findings in other elite athlete cohorts.
Department of Physical Culture and Health Promotion, University of Szczecin, Poland.
Marek
M
Sawczuk
Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Australia.
Lauren K
LK
Banting
Department of Physical Culture and Health Promotion, University of Szczecin, Poland; Department of Sport Education, Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, Academy of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland.
Paweł
P
Cięszczyk
Department of Physical Culture and Health Promotion, University of Szczecin, Poland.
Agnieszka
A
Maciejewska-Karłowska
Department of Sport Education, Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, Academy of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland.
Aleksandra
A
Zarębska
Department of Physical Culture and Health Promotion, University of Szczecin, Poland; Department of Sport Education, Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, Academy of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland.
Agata
A
Leońska-Duniec
Department of Sport Education, Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, Academy of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland.
Zbigniew
Z
Jastrzębski
Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Australia.
David J
DJ
Bishop
Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Australia; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: Nir.Eynon@vu.edu.au.
Nir
N
Eynon
D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D027501:Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters / Q000235:genetics*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000235:genetics; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012865:Skiing / Q000502:physiology; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology; D027981:Symporters / Q000235:genetics*; D014142:Track and Field / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult; D000099233:Monocarboxylate Transport Protein 1
D027501:Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters; D027981:Symporters; D000099233:Monocarboxylate Transport Protein 1
Athletic performance; Endurance athletes; Genes; Monocarboxylate transport protein 1; Power athletes; Running