Verma, J. P. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2025

R allele of ACTN3 R577X gene polymorphism is associated with Elite Indian Boxer Status

Genetic variations are considered important for athletic performance. In this regard, polymorphisms in angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and -actinin-3 genes are widely studied for their association with elite athlete status. The ACE gene regulates circulatory homeostasis, with the I variant of the ACE insertion/deletion (ACE I/D) gene polymorphism being associated with endurance performance, while the R allele of the R577X polymorphism of the ACTN3 gene, crucial for fast glycolytic muscle fibers, has been associated with speed and power performances. The present study investigated the association of these genetic variants with elite boxer (N=57) status and compared it with elite power/speed athletes (N=40), endurance athletes (N=44) and nonathletes (N=98) in the Indian population. The R allele frequency was found significantly higher in boxers than the nonathletes (p < 0.05). The allele and genotype frequencies of boxers, endurance and power/speed athletes did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). After analyzing overall athletic cohort on the basis of their level of performance, the frequency of RR genotype (24.1%) and R allele (47.7%) in national level athletes was found significantly higher than in nonathletes (8.7% and 34.2%, respectively), with the significant difference (p < 0.05) between national level endurance athletes and nonathletes only. The ACE I/D gene polymorphism was not found associated with any of the athletic cohorts (p > 0.05). Taken altogether, our study showed that the R allele of ACTN3 gene polymorphism is associated with elite boxer status as compared to the nonathletes. HighlightsO_LIBoxers had a higher ACTN3 gene R allele frequency than nonathletes; genotype did not differ. C_LIO_LIBoxers with RR genotype had more than 3x higher odds versus nonathletes (p = 0.02) in the X dominant model (RR vs RX+XX). C_LIO_LIACTN3 gene allele and genotype frequencies differed between overall athletic cohort and nonathletes. C_LIO_LIACE gene frequencies showed no difference or association across athletic cohorts. C_LI

genetics↗

bioRxiv2022

The global distribution and environmental drivers of the soil antibiotic resistome

BackgroundLittle is known about the global distribution and environmental drivers of key microbial functional traits such as antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Soils are one of Earths largest reservoirs of ARGs, which are integral for soil microbial competition, and have potential implications for plant and human health. Yet, their diversity and global patterns remain poorly described. Here, we analyzed 285 ARGs in soils from 1012 sites across all continents, and created the first global atlas with the distributions of topsoil ARGs. ResultsWe show that ARGs peaked in high latitude cold and boreal forests. Climatic seasonality and mobile genetic elements, associated with the transmission of antibiotic resistance, were also key drivers of their global distribution. Dominant ARGs were mainly related to multidrug resistance genes and efflux pump machineries. We further pinpointed the global hotspots of the diversity and proportions of soil ARGs. ConclusionsTogether, our work provides the foundation for a better understanding of the ecology and global distribution of the environmental soil antibiotic resistome.

ecology↗