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J Appl Physiol (January 15, 2009). doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.91435.2008
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Submitted on October 31, 2008
Revised on December 23, 2008
Accepted on January 7, 2009

Strength, Power, Fiber Types and mRNA expression in Trained Men and Women with Different ACTN3 R577X Genotypes

Barbara Norman1*, Mona Esbjörnsson1, Håkan Rundqvist1, Ted Österlund1, Ferdinand von Walden1, and Per A. Tesch2

1 Karolinska Institutet
2 Mid Sweden University

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: Barbara.Norman{at}ki.se.

Alpha-actinins are structural proteins of the Z-line. Human skeletal muscle expresses two {alpha}-actinin isoforms, {alpha}-actinin-2 and {alpha}-actinin-3, encoded by their respective genes ACTN2 and ACTN3. ACTN2 is expressed in all muscle fiber types while only type II fibers, and particularly the type IIb fibers, express ACTN3. ACTN3 (R577X) polymorphism results in loss of {alpha}-actinin-3 and has been suggested to influence skeletal muscle function. The X-allele is less common in elite sprint and power athletes, than in the general population, and has been suggested to be detrimental for performance requiring high power. The current study investigated the association of ACTN3 genotype with muscle power during 30-s Wingate cycling in 120 moderately to well trained men and women and with knee extensor strength and fatigability in a subset of 21 men performing isokinetic exercise. Muscle biopsies were obtained from m. vastus lateralis to determine fiber type composition and ACTN2 and ACTN3 mRNA levels. Peak and mean power and the torque-velocity relationship and fatigability output showed no difference across ACTN3 genotypes. Thus, this study suggests that R577X polymorphism in ACTN3 is not associated with differences in power output, fatigability or force-velocity characteristics in moderately trained individuals. However, repeated exercise bouts prompted an increase in peak torque in RR but not in XX genotypes, suggesting that ACTN3 genotype may modulate responsiveness to training. Our data further suggest that {alpha}-actinins do not play a significant role in determining muscle fiber type composition. Finally, we show that ACTN2 expression is affected by the content of {alpha}-actinin-3 which implies that {alpha}-actinin-2 may compensate for the lack of {alpha}-actinin-3 and hence counteract the phenotypic consequences of the deficiency.







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