GA‐binding protein (GABP) transcription factor gene, also known as the Nuclear Respiratory Factor 2 (NRF2) gene is associated with the synthesis of GABPB1, a key transcriptional activator of numerous nuclear genes which produce various mitochondrial enzymes. The variants of the GABPB1 gene that code for the beta1 subunit of NRF2 protein have been shown to be associated with endurance. Specific alleles of this gene are known to either increase or decrease GABPB1 which stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis upon exercising.
Does your 23andme, Ancestry DNA, FTDNA raw data have GABPB1 gene variant information?
| CHIP Version | GABPB1 SNPs |
| 23andMe (Use your 23andme raw data to know your GABPB1 Variant) | |
| v1 23andme | Present |
| v2 23andme | Present |
| v3 23andme | Present |
| v4 23andme | Present |
| V5 23andme (current chip) | Present |
| AncestryDNA (Use your ancestry DNA raw data to know your GABPB1 Variant) | |
| v1 ancestry DNA | Present |
| V2 ancestry DNA (current chip) | Present |
| Family Tree DNA (Use your FTDNA raw data to know your GABPB1 Variant) | |
| OmniExpress microarray chip | Present |
Association with Running:
A study conducted on track and field athletes showed that people with the A variant of the gene were more common among endurance athletes than non-athletes. In a similar study conducted on elite endurance, elite power and non-athletes, it was found that people with the A variant were found to be more common among elite endurance athletes.
Association with Aerobic Capacity:
People with the A variant of the gene were associated with better baseline aerobic capacity and an increase in VO2 max upon aerobic training, when compared with people with the C variant of the gene.
| Genotype | Phenotype |
|---|---|
| AA | [Advantage] More likely to improve VO2 max on training [Advantage] More likely to have better aerobic capacity [Advantage] Better endurance ability |
| AC | Moderate endurance and moderate aerobic capacity |
| CC | [Limitation]Less likely to improve VO2 max on training [Limitation] More likely to have lower aerobic capacity [Limitation] Lower endurance ability than people with the A variant |
| For people with A variant (Better Endurance) Likely better at endurance running and better aerobic capacity. Tennis, dancing and participating in marathons are some endurance based activities |
|---|
| For people with G variant (Lower Endurance) Likely poor at endurance running Endurance based activities would require additional training and more effort. |
|---|
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=17357964
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22749526?dopt=Abstract
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20028934
“Nutrigenetics, fitness genetics, health genetics are all nascent but rapidly growing areas within human genetics. The information provided herein is based on preliminary scientific studies and it is to be read and understood in that context.”
The Peroxisome Proliferator- Activated Receptor (PPARA) gene is associated with the synthesis of Peroxisome Proliferator- Activated Receptor Alpha (PPARA), a protein associated with the activation of other genes and also in regulation of fatty acid oxidation during exercise. A lack of energy in the cells activate this gene like during endurance exercises or when fasting. Variants of the gene are shown to be associated with endurance, power, aerobic capacity and cardio fitness (heart rate)
PPARA level is higher in tissues which catabolize fatty acids like skeletal and cardiac muscle and the liver while it is lower in other tissues like the pancreas.
Does your 23andme, Ancestry DNA, FTDNA raw data have PPARA gene variant information?
| CHIP Version | PPARA SNPs |
| 23andMe (Use your 23andme raw data to know your PPARA Variant) | |
| v1 23andme | Present |
| v2 23andme | Present |
| v3 23andme | Present |
| v4 23andme | Present |
| V5 23andme (current chip) | Present |
| AncestryDNA (Use your ancestry DNA raw data to know your PPARA Variant) | |
| v1 ancestry DNA | Present |
| V2 ancestry DNA (current chip) | Present |
| Family Tree DNA (Use your FTDNA raw data to know your PPARA Variant) | |
| OmniExpress microarray chip | Present |
Association with Endurance:
In a study conducted on athletes, people with G variant were associated with endurance. A similar study conducted on soccer players showed that people with the G variant were highly represented. People with the G variant were found to have higher amount of slow twitch fibers.
Association with Power:
People with the C variant of the gene had better hand grip strength, thereby, better at power based activities than people with the G variant.
Association with Aerobic capacity:
People with the G variant were associated with higher oxygen consumption, thereby better aerobic capacity when compared with people with the C variant of the gene.
Association with Cardio fitness (Oxygen pulse):
People with the G variant were associated with higher values of oxygen pulse.
| Genotype rs4253778 | Phenotype | Recommendation |
| GG | [Advantage] More likely to have better endurance [Advantage] More likely to have more slow twitch fibers [Advantage] More likely to have better aerobic capacity [Advantage] More likely to have higher oxygen pulse | Likely better endurance Include plenty of endurance based activities like dancing and playing cricket into the fitness routine |
| GC | Moderate power and endurance | Likely better endurance Include plenty of endurance based activities like dancing and playing cricket into the fitness routine |
| CC | [Advantage] More likely to have better power [Advantage] More likely to have more fast twitch fibers [Limitation] More likely to have lower aerobic capacity [Limitation] More likely to have lower oxygen pulse | Likely better power Include power based activities like kicking a football and squats into the fitness routine |
References:
- https://www.ommegaonline.org/article-details/Role-of-Peroxisome-Proliferator-Activated-Receptor-Alpha-(PPARA)-rs4253778-Polymorphism-in-Endurance-Phenotype/1152
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226721692_PPARa_gene_variation_and_physical_performance_in_Russian_athletes
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4157815/
“Nutrigenetics, fitness genetics, health genetics are all nascent but rapidly growing areas within human genetics. The information provided herein is based on preliminary scientific studies and it is to be read and understood in that context.”
The Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGFA) gene is associated with the synthesis VEGFA, a molecule associated with the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) upon training. This adaptation allows the body to increase supply of nutrients and oxygen to the trained muscles as well as remove waste products. VEGFA is associated indirectly with the widening of blood vessels (vasodilation). Blood flow to the muscles is increased as VEGFA triggers nitric oxide and other molecules which relax the blood vessels. Specific alleles of this gene are known to either increase or decrease the levels of VEGFA during and after exercise. People with the G variant of the gene were associated with lower level of the protein VEGFA.
Does your 23andme, Ancestry DNA, FTDNA raw data have VEGFA gene variant information?
| CHIP Version | VEGFA SNPs |
| 23andMe (Use your 23andme raw data to know your VEGFA Variant) | |
| v1 23andme | Present |
| v2 23andme | Present |
| v3 23andme | Present |
| v4 23andme | Present |
| V5 23andme (current chip) | Present |
| AncestryDNA (Use your ancestry DNA raw data to know your VEGFA Variant) | |
| v1 ancestry DNA | Present |
| V2 ancestry DNA (current chip) | Present |
| Family Tree DNA (Use your FTDNA raw data to know your VEGFA Variant) | |
| OmniExpress microarray chip | Present |
Association with Running:
A study conducted on cyclists showed that people with the C variant of the gene were more common among endurance athletes than non-athletes.
Association with Aerobic Capacity:
People with the C variant of the gene were associated with better aerobic capacity and significant increase in VO2 max after 24 weeks of aerobic training when compared with people with the G variant of the gene.
| Genotype rs2010963 | Phenotype | Recommendation |
| CC | [Advantage] More likely to have higher level of VEGFA on exercising [Advantage] More likely to significantly improve VO2 max with training [Advantage] More likely to have better aerobic capacity [Advantage] Better endurance | Likely to respond well to aerobic training and endurance training |
| CG | Moderate level of VEGFA on exercising and moderate aerobic capacity | Likely to respond moderately to aerobic training and endurance training |
| GG | [Limitation] More likely to have lower level of VEGFA on exercising compared to CC [Limitation] More likely to have lower VO2 max after exercising [Limitation] More likely to have lower aerobic capacity [Limitation] Poor endurance | Likely poor responder to endurance running due to low amount of new blood vessel formation in the targeted muscle. Mild improvements in aerobic capacity and endurance performance on carrying out aerobic fitness training can be expected. |
References:
- https://ajpheart.physiology.org/content/290/5/H1848.long
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226018635_Polymorphism_of_the_vascular_endothelial_growth_factor_gene_VEGF_and_aerobic_performance_in_athletes
- https://fitnessgenes.com/how-it-works/genes-we-analyze/vegfa/
- https://www.dnafit.com/blog/gene_in_focus_-_part_17:_vegf_3353.asp
- https://www.genespark.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Example_Fitness_Report.pdf
- https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P15692
- https://www.medinvita.ch/images/test-medici/FIT_SampleENGLISH.pdf
“Nutrigenetics, fitness genetics, health genetics are all nascent but rapidly growing areas within human genetics. The information provided herein is based on preliminary scientific studies and it is to be read and understood in that context.”
