AGTR2 and sprint/power performance: a case-control replication study for rs11091046 polymorphism in two ethnicities.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Human Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• The angiotensin-II receptor type-2 gene (AGTR2) has been implicated in athletic performance.
• Previous studies suggested an association between the AGTR2 rs11091046 A>C polymorphism and athlete status.

Purpose of the Study:

• To replicate and investigate the association of the AGTR2 rs11091046 polymorphism with sprint/power track and field athlete status.
• To examine this association across two distinct ethnic groups: Japanese and East European (Russian and Polish).

Main Methods:

• Genotypic frequencies of the AGTR2 rs11091046 polymorphism were compared between 282 track and field athletes and 2024 control subjects.
• Participants included athletes and controls from Japanese and Russian/Polish populations.
• Meta-analysis was performed to combine results from the ethnic cohorts.

Main Results:

• A meta-analysis of combined cohorts showed a significantly higher frequency of the C allele in male athletes compared to controls (OR: 1.62, P=0.008).
• Individually, the C allele was more frequent in Japanese male athletes (P=0.022) but not in Russian/Polish male athletes (P=0.172).
• In women, no significant association was found in the combined meta-analysis (P=0.850), although Russian/Polish women athletes showed a higher AC genotype frequency (P=0.022).

Conclusions:

• The C allele of the AGTR2 rs11091046 polymorphism is associated with sprint/power track and field athlete status in men.
• The association was not consistently observed across all ethnic subgroups or in women.
• Findings suggest a complex interplay of genetic factors and ethnicity in athletic performance.