Kcnc1 Gene Polymorphism Is Not Associated With Endurance Performance Level In Hispanics

A DNA sequence variant in the K+ voltage-gated channel of the shaw related subfamily member 1 (KCNC1) gene (11p15) is known to be associated with VO2max in the sedentary and trained states in Blacks, but not in Whites (MSSE 36(5), S99, 2003). PURPOSE To examine the association between the same KCNC1 gene polymorphism and endurance performance level in a cohort of Hispanics. METHODS The polymorphism was detected by PCR and digestion with MspI in 302 DNA samples from Hispanic marathon runners (n=225) and cardiac patients (n = 77). They were divided into three groups according to endurance performance level. Cases (C; n = 105) and active controls (AC; n = 120), were long-distance runners finishers in the highest and lowest 3 percentile, by age and gender respectively, during an international marathon (42 km) race, while controls (CON; n = 77) were intensive care coronary unit subjects with severely compromised cardiorespiratory functions. RESULTS The observed KCNC1 genotypic frequencies for both genders were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (X2, P>0.05). X2 analysis showed that neither allelic nor genotype frequencies were significantly (P>0.05) different between genders or groups. The pooled genotypic and allelic data is shown in the table below.TableCONCLUSION The present findings do not provide support for the notion that the K+ voltage-gated channel of the shaw related subfamily member 1 is associated with endurance performance status in Hispanics. Supported by CRC-RCMI 1P20RR11126, RCMI #G12RR03051, Comite de Fondismo: FPRA, Maraton Pacifico, Maraton de Guadalajara, and Maraton Popular de Madrid.