To date, studies investigating the association between ACTN3 R577X and ACE I/D gene variants and elite sprint/power performance have been limited by small cohorts from mixed sport disciplines, without quantitative measures of performance. Aim: To examine the association between these variants and sprint time in elite athletes. We collected a total of 555 best personal 100-, 200-, and 400-m times of 346 elite sprinters in a large cohort of elite Caucasian or African origin sprinters from 10 different countries. Sprinters were genotyped for ACTN3 R577X and ACE ID variants. On average, male Caucasian sprinters with the ACTN3 577RR or the ACE DD genotype had faster best 200-m sprint time than their 577XX (21.19 ± 0.53 s vs. 21.86 ± 0.54 s, p = 0.016) and ACE II (21.33 ± 0.56 vs. 21.93 ± 0.67 sec, p = 0.004) counterparts and only one case of ACE II, and no cases of ACTN3 577XX, had a faster 200-m time than the 2012 London Olympics qualifying (vs. 12 qualified sprinters with 577RR or 577RX genotype). Caucasian sprinters with the ACE DD genotype had faster best 400-m sprint time than their ACE II counterparts (46.94 ± 1.19 s vs. 48.50 ± 1.07 s, p = 0.003). Using genetic models we found that the ACTN3 577R allele and ACE D allele dominant model account for 0.92 % and 1.48 % of sprint time variance, respectively. Despite sprint performance relying on many gene variants and environment, the % sprint time variance explained by ACE and ACTN3 is substantial at the elite level and might be the difference between a world record and only making the final.

Purpose: Iron is an important component of the oxygen-binding proteins and may be critical to optimal athletic performance. Previous studies have suggested that the G allele of C/G rare variant (rs1799945), which causes H63D amino acid replacement, in the HFE is associated with elevated iron indexes and may give some advantage in endurance-oriented sports. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the HFE H63D polymorphism and elite endurance athlete status in Japanese and Russian populations, aerobic capacity and to perform a meta-analysis using current findings and three previous studies. Methods: The study involved 315 international-level endurance athletes (255 Russian and 60 Japanese) and 809 healthy controls (405 Russian and 404 Japanese). Genotyping was performed using micro-array analysis or by PCR. VO_2max in 46 male Russian endurance athletes was determined using gas analysis system. Results: The frequency of the iron-increasing CG/GG genotypes was significantly higher in Russian (38.0 vs 24.9%; OR 1.85, P = 0.0003) and Japanese (13.3 vs 5.0%; OR 2.95, P = 0.011) endurance athletes compared to ethnically matched controls. The meta-analysis using five cohorts (two French, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian; 586 athletes and 1416 controls) showed significant prevalence of the CG/GG genotypes in endurance athletes compared to controls (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.58–2.45; P = 1.7 × 10^–9). Furthermore, the HFE G allele was associated with high V̇O_2max in male athletes [CC: 61.8 (6.1), CG/GG: 66.3 (7.8) ml/min/kg; P = 0.036]. Conclusions: We have shown that the HFE H63D polymorphism is strongly associated with elite endurance athlete status, regardless ethnicities and aerobic capacity in Russian athletes.

The endothelial PAS domain protein 1 (EPAS1) activates genes that are involved in erythropoiesis and angiogenesis, thus favoring a better delivery of oxygen to the tissues and is a plausible candidate to influence athletic performance. Using innovative statistical methods we compared genotype distributions and interactions of EPAS1 SNPs rs1867785, rs11689011, rs895436, rs4035887 and rs1867782 between sprint/power athletes (n = 338), endurance athletes (n = 254), and controls (603) in Polish and Russian samples. We also examined the association between these SNPs and the athletes’ competition level (‘elite’ and ‘sub-elite’ level). Genotyping was performed by either Real-Time PCR or by Single-Base Extension (SBE) method. In the pooled cohort of Polish and Russian athletes, 1) rs1867785 was associated with sprint/power athletic status; the AA genotype in rs1867785 was underrepresented in the sprint/power athletes, 2) rs11689011 was also associated with sprint/power athletic status; the TT genotype in rs11689011 was underrepresented sprint/power athletes, and 3) the interaction between rs1867785, rs11689011, and rs4035887 was associated with sprint/power athletic performance; the combinations of the AA genotype in rs4035887 with either the AG or GG genotypes in rs1867785, or with the CT or CC genotypes in rs11689011, were underrepresented in two cohorts of sprint/power athletes. Based on the unique statistical model rs1867785/rs11689011 are strong predictors of sprint/power athletic status, and the interaction between rs1867785, rs11689011, and rs4035887 might contribute to success in sprint/power athletic performance.

Genetic variants may predispose humans to elevated risk of common metabolic morbidities such as obesity and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Some of these variants have also been shown to influence elite athletic performance and the response to exercise training. We compared the genotype distribution of five genetic Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) known to be associated with obesity and obesity co-morbidities (IGF2BP2 rs4402960, LPL rs320, LPL rs328, KCJN rs5219, and MTHFR rs1801133) between athletes (all male, n = 461; endurance athletes n = 254, sprint/power athletes n = 207), and controls (all male, n = 544) in Polish and Russian samples. We also examined the association between these SNPs and the athletes’ competition level (‘elite’ and ‘national’ level). Genotypes were analysed by Single-Base Extension and Real-Time PCR. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between genotypes and athletic status/competition level. IGF2BP2 rs4402960 and LPL rs320 were significantly associated with athletic status; sprint/power athletes were twice more likely to have the IGF2BP2 rs4402960 risk (T) allele compared to endurance athletes (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.03-4.30, P <0.041), and non-athletic controls were significantly less likely to have the T allele compared to sprint/power athletes (OR = 0.62, 95% CI =0.43-0.89, P <0.0009). The control group was significantly more likely to have the LPL rs320 risk (G) allele compared to endurance athletes (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.05-1.52, P <0.013). Hence, endurance athletes were the “protected” group being significantly (p < 0.05) less likely to have the risk allele compared to sprint/power athletes (IGF2BP2 rs4402960) and significantly (p < 0.05) less likely to have the risk allele compared to controls (LPL rs320). The other 3 SNPs did not show significant differences between the study groups. Male endurance athletes are less likely to have the metabolic risk alleles of IGF2BP2 rs4402960 and LPL rs320, compared to sprint/power athletes and controls, respectively. These results suggest that some SNPs across the human genome have a dual effect and may predispose endurance athletes to reduced risk of developing metabolic morbidities, whereas sprint/power athletes might be predisposed to elevated risk.

Reciprocal translocations are the most common structural chromosomal rearrangements, occurring at a frequency of 0.08–0.3 % in the human population. The vast majority of carriers of reciprocal translocations are phenotypically normal, but have an increased risk of miscarriage or the birth of children with intellectual disabilities and multiple congenital abnormalities due to meiotic malsegregation of chromosomes involved in the translocation. This study presents a familial case of translocation involving the distal regions of the short arms of chromosomes 3 and 10, detected in seven family members across three generations. The investigation was prompted by the detection of a deletion 10p15 and a duplication 3p25 revealed through clinical exome sequencing in a proband exhibiting phenotypic abnormalities, which may correspond to der(10)t(3;10)(p25;p15). GTG cytogenetic study of the proband’s family revealed that the mother, grandmother, aunt and brother – none of whom displayed any clinical or phenotypic manifestations – were carriers of a balanced chromosomal rearrangement, t(3;10)(p25;p15). By contrast, the karyotype of the proband’s sibling – a girl with severe cognitive, neurological, and developmental abnormalities – was found to be 46,XX,der(3)t(3;10)(p25;p15)dmat. Molecular karyotyping facilitated further clarification of the chromosomal imbalance and the precise breakpoints on both chromosomes involved in the translocation. This study provides a detailed description of the clinical and phenotypic manifestations resulting from the presence of derivative chromosomes 3 and 10 in the karyotype. Additionally, it discusses the mechanisms underlying the formation of chromosomal imbalances in the family members with the abnormal phenotype, the relationship between the severity of clinical manifestations and changes in gene dosage due to chromosomal rearrangements, as well as potential preventive and rehabilitative measures aimed at reducing the risk of chromosomal pathology in the families with carriers of autosomal reciprocal translocations.

Background: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a hereditary disorder characterized by fibrous or fibro-fatty myocardial tissue replacement leading to the life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and progressive heart failure (HF). Most of known genetic subtypes of ARVC, including the DSG2-associated form, are characterized by autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Cases of compound heterozygous and digenic forms of ARVC are relatively rare and typically manifest in childhood or adolescence. The aim of this study is to characterize a rare biallelic form of ARVC caused by a homozygous mutation c.581C>T (p.Ser194Leu) in the DSG2 gene based on own and published data. Methods: The study cohort included 80 probands underwent clinical examination, NGS-sequencing of 16 genes. Haplotype analysis was performed for the probands homozygous for the DSG2 c.581C>T (p.Ser194Leu) variant. Results: The rare form of ARVC was identified in three probands originating from the Republic of Dagestan and representing Dargin ethnic group. We assessed the frequency of the minor T allele in groups of 150 healthy volunteers, including 20 from the Republic of Dagestan, and 300 patients with cardiomyopathy presumably natives of the North Caucasian Highland Region. The c.581C>T (p.Ser194Leu) variant was not detected in any of the DNA samples analyzed, indicating the rarity of this form of ARVC. The fact that three probands with the rare form of ARVC originate from the same minor ethnicity (Dargins) with a high rate of consanguineous marriages suggests a common ancestor for these families. All probands shared a haplotype of approximately 4.01 Mb surrounding DSG2 c.581C>T. Conclusions: Our study contributes to expanding the knowledge of the molecular causes of cardiomyopathies in poorly studied populations, underrepresented in international databases, and to establishing genotype-phenotypic correlations.