Elite athletes and the gene for angiotensin-converting enzyme

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) Vol. 87; no. 3; pp. 1035 - 1037
• Main Authors: Taylor, Roger R, Mamotte, Cyril D. S, Fallon, Kieran, van Bockxmeer, Frank M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Am Physiological Soc 01.09.1999; American Physiological Society
• Subjects: Adult; Alleles; Athletes; Biological and medical sciences; Enzymes; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Frequency; Genetics; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Genotype; Human; Humans; Male; Motor ability; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A - genetics; Population genetics, reproduction patterns; Sex Characteristics; Sports - physiology; Australia; Oceania; Human; Physical performance; Enzyme; Genotype; Athlete; Peptidases; Allele; Gene frequency; Gene; Peptidyl-dipeptidase A; Hydrolases; Peptidyl-dipeptidases; Polymorphism
• ISSN: 8750-7587; 1522-1601
• DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1999.87.3.1035

1  Departments of Cardiology and Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital and The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6001; 2  Department of Biochemistry, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia 6001; 3  Australian Institute of Sport, Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory 2616; and 4  Department of Pathology, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia The deletion (D) allele of the gene for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is associated with higher plasma and tissue levels of the enzyme and has also been related to a variety of cardiovascular complications, particularly myocardial infarction. On the basis of indirect evidence, we hypothesized that inheritance of the D allele would contribute to elite athletic ability. Over a period of 4 yr, 120 Caucasian athletes who were national (Australian) representatives in sports demanding a high level of aerobic fitness were recruited. Their ACE genotypes were compared with those of a community control group recruited randomly from the electoral roll. There was no difference in ACE genotype frequencies between the two groups. The DD genotype frequency was 30% in athletes and 29% in the control group, and the II genotype frequency was 22.5 and 22%, respectively. The results do not exclude the possibility that ACE genotype could be related to some attribute relating to a specific type of elite athletic ability or that there may be a difference between genders. Larger studies are desirable. deletion allele; insertion allele; inheritance; physical performance