Effect of angiotensin I-converting enzyme and α-actinin-3 gene polymorphisms on sport performance.

Genetic polymorphism is considered to be associated with human physical performance. The angiotensin I-converting enzyme insertion/deletion (ACE I/D) and the α-actinin-3 gene (ACTN3) R577X polymorphisms have been widely investigated for such associations, and functional ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X polymorphisms have been associated with sprinter performance. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of these polymorphisms on sport performance among 37 elite athletes and 37 healthy controls. The ACE II genotype was identified in 32.43% of the control group and 8.11% of elite athletes, the DD genotype in 37.84% of the control group and 51.35% of the elite athletes, and the ID genotype in 29.73% of the control group and 40.54% of the elite athletes. With regard to the ACTN3 gene, the XX genotype, which confers an advantage for endurance activities, was identified in 10.81% of the control group and 35.14% of the elite athletes. The XX genotype was observed more frequently than the RR genotype (advantageous for sprinting), which was identified in 2.70% of the control group and 10.81% of elite athletes. The RX genotype (observed in 86.48% of the control group and in 54.05% of the elite athletes) was the most common genotype of the individuals in the present study. The study showed that ACTN3 and ACE gene polymorphisms have an effect on muscle power; however, larger studies are required.

Current approaches on non-invasive prenatal diagnosis: Prenatal genomics, transcriptomics, personalized fetal diagnosis.

Recent developments in molecular genetics improved our knowledge on fetal genome and physiology. Novel scientific innovations in prenatal diagnosis have accelerated in the last decade changing our vision immensely. Data obtained from fetal genomic studies brought new insights to fetal medicine and by the advances in fetal DNA and RNA sequencing technology novel treatment strategies has evolved. Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis found ground in genetics and the results are widely studied in scientific arena. When Lo and colleges proved fetal genetic material can be extracted from maternal plasma and fetal DNA can be isolated from maternal serum, the gate to many exciting discoveries was open. Microarray technology and advances in sequencing helped fetal diagnosis as well as other areas of medicine. Today it is a very crucial prerequisite for physicians practicing prenatal diagnosis to have a profound knowledge in genetics. Prevailing practical use and application of fetal genomic tests in maternal and fetal medicine mandates obstetricians to update their knowledge in genetics. The purpose of this review is to assist physicians to understand and update their knowledge in fetal genetic testing from maternal blood, individualized prenatal counseling and advancements on the subject by sharing our experiences as Istanbul University Fetal Nucleic Acid Research Group.