Comments on: There’s a Sport for Everybody http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/2010/01/04/theres-a-sport-for-everybody/ Tue, 24 Apr 2012 03:52:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Lek2k http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/2010/01/04/theres-a-sport-for-everybody/comment-page-1/#comment-2370 Lek2k Sun, 30 May 2010 00:56:29 +0000 http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/?p=407#comment-2370 Whoops made some typos. "This shows that there are only genetic variants that contribute." substitute only for other. "Therefore a more misleading way to write this is that Brett ONLY possesses actinin-2." replace more with less :o) Also I didn't fully answer point 1. The actinin-3 gene arose approximately 300 million years ago and not actinin-3 deficiency in humans. There are no primates besides humans with actinin-3 deficiency, however there are Africans with actinin-3 deficiency (very low). Thus, actinin-3 deficiency arose after the divergence of humans from chimps but before human migration out of Africa. An estimate on a better date is another area of research. Whoops made some typos.
“This shows that there are only genetic variants that contribute.” substitute only for other.

“Therefore a more misleading way to write this is that Brett ONLY possesses actinin-2.” replace more with less :o )

Also I didn’t fully answer point 1. The actinin-3 gene arose approximately 300 million years ago and not actinin-3 deficiency in humans. There are no primates besides humans with actinin-3 deficiency, however there are Africans with actinin-3 deficiency (very low). Thus, actinin-3 deficiency arose after the divergence of humans from chimps but before human migration out of Africa. An estimate on a better date is another area of research.

]]> By: Lek2k http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/2010/01/04/theres-a-sport-for-everybody/comment-page-1/#comment-2369 Lek2k Sun, 30 May 2010 00:21:55 +0000 http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/?p=407#comment-2369 Alec this was a great post. The story/example you used is very realistic which a lot of people can relate to and understand. I work as a researcher in Prof. Kathryn North's lab and the author of the scientific journal article the blog below was based on. http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/12/-actinin_evolution_in_humans.php Firstly, I will give you my thoughts on the questions you posed at the end which by the way is NOT a reflection of what everyone else thinks in my lab. 1. Provide evidence based on the time period when some humans first developed an a-actinin-3 deficiency (300 million years ago). The estimate of 300 million years is when Actn2 and Actn3 first emerged in evolution as two seperate genes in vertebrates (fish). Before then there was only one actinin gene, after gene duplication there was two, allowing one to become Actn2 and the other Actn3. 2. Do you think evolution and natural selection played a role, why or why not? Yes, natural selection played a role. The frequency of actinin-3 deficiency is quite low in Africans, while it is much higher in Europeans and Asians. There are two explanations: A. The group of humans that migrated from Africa was not a true representation of the population (i.e. there were more actinin-3 deficient individuals). Due to random chance the frequency of actinin-3 increased some more to give the frequencies seen in Europeans and Asians. B. There was a selective advantage for actinin-3 deficient individuals and over time their numbers increased which in turn increased the frequency of actinin-3 deficiency. Our lab showed it was (B) but the explanation is quite technical so I'll leave it there. 3. Why do you think humans first developed an a-actinin-3 deficiency? This is a hot topic of research at the moment. We believe actinin-3 deficiency may have been advantageous in the Eurasian environment and the challenges it presented when humans first migrated out of Africa. Unfortunately, pin pointing the exact advantage is not as trivial as genes involved in skin pigmentation and immunity to diseases. 4. How do you expect the population of people who possess the a-actinin-3 to change in the future based on the current state of man? This is quite hard to predict as the world is constantly changing and what was advantageous 1000 years ago may not be anymore. In developed nations, food, cold winters and running away from predators is not as much of a problem as in third world countries. However, if I was going to guess I would say that it would be absolutely random how the frequency of actinin-3 deficiency will change in the next 1000 generations or so. To clarify a few common misconceptions: 1. We ALL have the ACTN2 and ACTN3 gene which allows for the expression of the actinin-2 and actinin-3 proteins, respectively. However, some people have a variant of the ACTN3 gene that is no longer able to express the actinin-3 protein. Therefore, it is correct to say someone has or does not have the actinin-3 protein but NOT correct to say someone does not have the GENE. In addition, we all have two copies of each gene. Thus, if you were of European or Asian descent you are more likely to have one functional copy and one non-functional copy and if you are of African descent you are more likely to have two functional copies. 2. "Coach Brett on the other hand probably possesses the a-actinin-2 protein". Everyone possesses the actinin-2 protein but not everyone possesses the actinin-3 protein. Therefore a more misleading way to write this is that Brett ONLY possesses actinin-2. 3. There are many factors that influence athletic performance. We are saying that actinin-3 deficiency is only one of these factors. How much it contributes is unknown. I personally believe it is more important to avoid gene variants that are detrimental for atheletic performance rather than those that are advantageous. Therefore, just because you have the actinin-3 protein does not make you a good sprinter because you may have other genetic variants that are detrimental for sprinting. Conversely, just because you do not have actinin-3 does not make you a bad sprinter because the other genetic variants you have may compensate. A good example of this is our study of East and West African athletes. They both have similar frequency of actinin-3 deficiency (i.e. very low) but West Africans are known for their sprinting while East Africans are known for their long distance running. This shows that there are only genetic variants that contribute. Anyways, great post Alec and awesome pics. You know when it is a great post when a researcher has given up their time to write a long response. Regards, Monkol Alec this was a great post. The story/example you used is very realistic which a lot of
people can relate to and understand. I work as a researcher in Prof. Kathryn North’s lab and the author of the scientific journal article the blog below was based on.
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/12/-actinin_evolution_in_humans.php

Firstly, I will give you my thoughts on the questions you posed at the end which by the way is NOT a reflection of what everyone else thinks in my lab.

1. Provide evidence based on the time period when some humans first developed an a-actinin-3 deficiency (300 million years ago).
The estimate of 300 million years is when Actn2 and Actn3 first emerged in evolution as two seperate genes in vertebrates (fish). Before then there was only one actinin gene, after gene duplication there was two, allowing one to become Actn2 and the other Actn3.

2. Do you think evolution and natural selection played a role, why or why not?

Yes, natural selection played a role. The frequency of actinin-3 deficiency is quite low in Africans, while it is much higher in Europeans and Asians. There are two explanations:

A. The group of humans that migrated from Africa was not a true representation of the population (i.e. there were more actinin-3 deficient individuals). Due to random chance the frequency of actinin-3 increased some more to give the frequencies seen in Europeans and Asians.

B. There was a selective advantage for actinin-3 deficient individuals and over time their numbers increased which in turn increased the frequency of actinin-3 deficiency.

Our lab showed it was (B) but the explanation is quite technical so I’ll leave it there.

3. Why do you think humans first developed an a-actinin-3 deficiency?
This is a hot topic of research at the moment. We believe actinin-3 deficiency may have been advantageous in the Eurasian environment and the challenges it presented when humans first migrated out of Africa. Unfortunately, pin pointing the exact advantage is not as trivial as genes involved in skin pigmentation and immunity to diseases.

4. How do you expect the population of people who possess the a-actinin-3 to change in the future based on the current state of man?

This is quite hard to predict as the world is constantly changing and what was advantageous 1000 years ago may not be anymore. In developed nations, food, cold winters and running away from predators is not as much of a problem as in third world countries. However, if I was going to guess I would say that it would be absolutely random how the frequency of actinin-3 deficiency will change in the next 1000 generations or so.

To clarify a few common misconceptions:
1. We ALL have the ACTN2 and ACTN3 gene which allows for the expression of the actinin-2 and actinin-3 proteins, respectively. However, some people have a variant of the ACTN3 gene that is no longer able to express the actinin-3 protein. Therefore, it is correct to say someone has or does not have the actinin-3 protein but NOT correct to say someone does not have the GENE. In addition, we all have two copies of each gene. Thus, if you were of European or Asian descent you are more likely to have one functional copy and one non-functional copy and if you are of African descent you are more likely to have two functional copies.

2. “Coach Brett on the other hand probably possesses the a-actinin-2 protein”. Everyone possesses the actinin-2 protein but not everyone possesses the actinin-3 protein. Therefore a more misleading way to write this is that Brett ONLY possesses actinin-2.

3. There are many factors that influence athletic performance. We are saying that actinin-3 deficiency is only one of these factors. How much it contributes is unknown. I personally believe it is more important to avoid gene variants that are detrimental for atheletic performance rather than those that are advantageous. Therefore, just because you have the actinin-3 protein does not make you a good sprinter because you may have other genetic variants that are detrimental for sprinting. Conversely, just because you do not have actinin-3 does not make you a bad sprinter because the other genetic variants you have may compensate. A good example of this is our study of East and West African athletes. They both have similar frequency of actinin-3 deficiency (i.e. very low) but West Africans are known for their sprinting while East Africans are known for their long distance running. This shows that there are only genetic variants that contribute.

Anyways, great post Alec and awesome pics. You know when it is a great post when a researcher has given up their time to write a long response.

Regards,
Monkol

]]> By: Michael L. http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/2010/01/04/theres-a-sport-for-everybody/comment-page-1/#comment-1846 Michael L. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:03:58 +0000 http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/?p=407#comment-1846 Alec this is a great sport and I love the way it describes how your body performs during athletic activity. Alec also mentioned how you can perform better with a better diet and with better equipment. Also the ACTN3 gene that helps you performs better athletically. Science Blogs (a website) did a test on how this gene helps you better athletically. They determined that it helps your muscle development and around 18 % of ‘Pros’ have this gene. Another thing is that the amount you work at helps you become better. http://scienceblogs.com/geneticfuture/2008/11/the_actn3_sports_gene_test_wha.php Alec this is a great sport and I love the way it describes how your body performs during athletic activity. Alec also mentioned how you can perform better with a better diet and with better equipment. Also the ACTN3 gene that helps you performs better athletically. Science Blogs (a website) did a test on how this gene helps you better athletically. They determined that it helps your muscle development and around 18 % of ‘Pros’ have this gene. Another thing is that the amount you work at helps you become better. http://scienceblogs.com/geneticfuture/2008/11/the_actn3_sports_gene_test_wha.php

]]> By: Jong http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/2010/01/04/theres-a-sport-for-everybody/comment-page-1/#comment-1614 Jong Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:27:12 +0000 http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/?p=407#comment-1614 This article was great and it was interesting to see that the acitin-3 is one of the essential proteins for athletes. Yet it has been proven by scientists that a perfect athlete does not necessarily have to have acitin-3 nor acitin-2 to be a perfect and one of the top athletes. A spanish scientist found an long jumper who had participated in both European and World Championships at just the age of 16, and had 2 non-functioning ACTN3 proteins. This proves that an athlete doesn't have to necesarily have the "speed gene" ACTN3 in order to become a great athlete. https://www.23andme.com/gen101/variation/speed/ This article was great and it was interesting to see that the acitin-3 is one of the essential proteins for athletes. Yet it has been proven by scientists that a perfect athlete does not necessarily have to have acitin-3 nor acitin-2 to be a perfect and one of the top athletes. A spanish scientist found an long jumper who had participated in both European and World Championships at just the age of 16, and had 2 non-functioning ACTN3 proteins. This proves that an athlete doesn’t have to necesarily have the “speed gene” ACTN3 in order to become a great athlete.

https://www.23andme.com/gen101/variation/speed/

]]> By: Sam http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/2010/01/04/theres-a-sport-for-everybody/comment-page-1/#comment-1591 Sam Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:43:50 +0000 http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/?p=407#comment-1591 Good post Alec! This blog post gave alot of information regarding peoples ability and athletisism and how it is related to genetics. I did not know that being athletic can be passed down from a person to their offspring. While I was trying to find more information about the topic I found out that ?-actinin is a cytoskeletal protein that is very important for your muscles to contain in order to have these athletic genes. These proteins criss cross through your cells. To find more information on this topic you can go to this website: http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/12/-actinin_evolution_in_humans.php Good post Alec! This blog post gave alot of information regarding peoples ability and athletisism and how it is related to genetics. I did not know that being athletic can be passed down from a person to their offspring. While I was trying to find more information about the topic I found out that ?-actinin is a cytoskeletal protein that is very important for your muscles to contain in order to have these athletic genes. These proteins criss cross through your cells. To find more information on this topic you can go to this website: http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/12/-actinin_evolution_in_humans.php

]]> By: Jesse http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/2010/01/04/theres-a-sport-for-everybody/comment-page-1/#comment-1423 Jesse Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:49:15 +0000 http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/?p=407#comment-1423 This is a great post Alec. It explains very well how the body basically performes during athletic situations. The points that Alec mentioned about how you can perform better such as a diet and getting better equiptment are great. Also, I never knew that you genes mattered so much in sports because I thought it was all about practice and given skill. I found out that the body builds better stamina by working at something when you are tired because that is when your body obsorbes the most information. http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/27975147/The-Chiropractic-Sports-Practice This is a great post Alec. It explains very well how the body basically performes during athletic situations. The points that Alec mentioned about how you can perform better such as a diet and getting better equiptment are great. Also, I never knew that you genes mattered so much in sports because I thought it was all about practice and given skill. I found out that the body builds better stamina by working at something when you are tired because that is when your body obsorbes the most information. http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/27975147/The-Chiropractic-Sports-Practice

]]> By: charlot http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/2010/01/04/theres-a-sport-for-everybody/comment-page-1/#comment-1323 charlot Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:26:16 +0000 http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/?p=407#comment-1323 This article is interesting and exciting to read. I thought that putting forth effort into a sport can really enhance your ability to excel in that particular sport. This called ACTN3 gene makes you sprint fast but the ACTN2 gene makes you run long distances but not as fast. Based on the current state of man the ACTN3 will be more common in future populations because people in the future will be more concerned about competing in races and being fast and therefore the ACTN2 gene will be removed from populations. The article below states that the gene ACTN3 encodes they protein a-actinin3 which functions in the fast-twitch muscle this muscle gives you the power to sprint very fats but not for long distances. Previous studies show that 5 people in Australia with this gene seem to be healthier and more successful in winning races. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3982188?&Search=yes&term=a-actinin-3&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoAdvancedSearch%3Fq0%3Da-actinin-3%26f0%3Dall%26c0%3DAND%26q1%3D%26f1%3Dall%26c1%3DAND%26q2%3D%26f2%3Dall%26c2%3DAND%26q3%3D%26f3%3Dall%26wc%3Don%26Search%3DSearch%26sd%3D%26ed%3D%26la%3D%26jo%3D&item=1&ttl=6&returnArticleService=showArticle This article is interesting and exciting to read. I thought that putting forth effort into a sport can really enhance your ability to excel in that particular sport. This called ACTN3 gene makes you sprint fast but the ACTN2 gene makes you run long distances but not as fast. Based on the current state of man the ACTN3 will be more common in future populations because people in the future will be more concerned about competing in races and being fast and therefore the ACTN2 gene will be removed from populations. The article below states that the gene ACTN3 encodes they protein a-actinin3 which functions in the fast-twitch muscle this muscle gives you the power to sprint very fats but not for long distances. Previous studies show that 5 people in Australia with this gene seem to be healthier and more successful in winning races.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/3982188?&Search=yes&term=a-actinin-3&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoAdvancedSearch%3Fq0%3Da-actinin-3%26f0%3Dall%26c0%3DAND%26q1%3D%26f1%3Dall%26c1%3DAND%26q2%3D%26f2%3Dall%26c2%3DAND%26q3%3D%26f3%3Dall%26wc%3Don%26Search%3DSearch%26sd%3D%26ed%3D%26la%3D%26jo%3D&item=1&ttl=6&returnArticleService=showArticle

]]> By: Lionel http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/2010/01/04/theres-a-sport-for-everybody/comment-page-1/#comment-1241 Lionel Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:28:31 +0000 http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/?p=407#comment-1241 Alec this is a great post. I didn't know that organisms that lack the a-actanin-3 use their energy more efficiently. The body works in amazing ways. Also, as Geoffrey said natural selection can be overcome by hard work and determination. People such as Steve Nash have worked against the odds with inner confidence to make it to where they are. People can also take steroids in order to strengthen their muscles and do things they wouldn’t be able to do naturally. This source tells more in detail about steroids and how they affect humans of both genders in positive and negative ways. http://espn.go.com/special/s/drugsandsports/steroids.html Alec this is a great post. I didn’t know that organisms that lack the a-actanin-3 use their energy more efficiently. The body works in amazing ways. Also, as Geoffrey said natural selection can be overcome by hard work and determination. People such as Steve Nash have worked against the odds with inner confidence to make it to where they are. People can also take steroids in order to strengthen their muscles and do things they wouldn’t be able to do naturally. This source tells more in detail about steroids and how they affect humans of both genders in positive and negative ways.

http://espn.go.com/special/s/drugsandsports/steroids.html

]]> By: Geoffrey http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/2010/01/04/theres-a-sport-for-everybody/comment-page-1/#comment-1184 Geoffrey Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:05:10 +0000 http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/?p=407#comment-1184 There are also many other variables that can change how a person performs in athletic situations. For example sports equipment such as running shoes can greatly change how far a person can run before getting tiered and how fast someone can run. Other variable factors include diet, training, and like Alec stated in the beginning of this post motivation. But even with these factors most physiologists say that genetics greatly affect how athletic someone can be. Having said that people who have a very high genetic potential for sports won’t excel in them if they live a lifestyle of overeating and no exercise. At the same time someone with low genetic potential can excel at sports if they truly work hard to compensate. This article truly opened my eyes to the fact that some people can be born with a natural ability to be better at sports. This is the article where I got this information. http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/anatomyandphysiology/a/genetics.htm There are also many other variables that can change how a person performs in athletic situations. For example sports equipment such as running shoes can greatly change how far a person can run before getting tiered and how fast someone can run. Other variable factors include diet, training, and like Alec stated in the beginning of this post motivation. But even with these factors most physiologists say that genetics greatly affect how athletic someone can be. Having said that people who have a very high genetic potential for sports won’t excel in them if they live a lifestyle of overeating and no exercise. At the same time someone with low genetic potential can excel at sports if they truly work hard to compensate. This article truly opened my eyes to the fact that some people can be born with a natural ability to be better at sports. This is the article where I got this information.
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/anatomyandphysiology/a/genetics.htm

]]> By: Adam http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/2010/01/04/theres-a-sport-for-everybody/comment-page-1/#comment-1147 Adam Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:52:17 +0000 http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/?p=407#comment-1147 Alec you did a fantastic job with this post. I had no idea that the a-actinin-3 or a-actinin-2 proteins could help you in athletic preformance. I did a little more research on my own and apparently, the actinin-3 and the a-actinin-2 proteins were develpoed roughly around 250-300 years ago. Also, the a-actinin-2 and the actinin-3 proteins are 80% identical to the amino acid sequence (when chains and sheets are arranged within a protien. We are seeing another example of human evolution in process, and also a shift in human muscle function. http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/12/-actinin_evolution_in_humans.php Alec you did a fantastic job with this post. I had no idea that the a-actinin-3 or a-actinin-2 proteins could help you in athletic preformance. I did a little more research on my own and apparently, the actinin-3 and the a-actinin-2 proteins were develpoed roughly around 250-300 years ago. Also, the a-actinin-2 and the actinin-3 proteins are 80% identical to the amino acid sequence (when chains and sheets are arranged within a protien. We are seeing another example of human evolution in process, and also a shift in human muscle function.
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/12/-actinin_evolution_in_humans.php

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