GA‐binding protein (GABP) transcription factor gene, also known as the Nuclear Respiratory Factor 2 (NRF2) gene is associated with the synthesis of GABPB1, a key transcriptional activator of numerous nuclear genes which produce various mitochondrial enzymes. The variants of the GABPB1 gene that code for the beta1 subunit of NRF2 protein have been shown to be associated with endurance. Specific alleles of this gene are known to either increase or decrease GABPB1 which stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis upon exercising.
Does your 23andme, Ancestry DNA, FTDNA raw data have GABPB1 gene variant information?
| CHIP Version | GABPB1 SNPs |
| 23andMe (Use your 23andme raw data to know your GABPB1 Variant) | |
| v1 23andme | Present |
| v2 23andme | Present |
| v3 23andme | Present |
| v4 23andme | Present |
| V5 23andme (current chip) | Present |
| AncestryDNA (Use your ancestry DNA raw data to know your GABPB1 Variant) | |
| v1 ancestry DNA | Present |
| V2 ancestry DNA (current chip) | Present |
| Family Tree DNA (Use your FTDNA raw data to know your GABPB1 Variant) | |
| OmniExpress microarray chip | Present |
Association with Running:
A study conducted on track and field athletes showed that people with the A variant of the gene were more common among endurance athletes than non-athletes. In a similar study conducted on elite endurance, elite power and non-athletes, it was found that people with the A variant were found to be more common among elite endurance athletes.
Association with Aerobic Capacity:
People with the A variant of the gene were associated with better baseline aerobic capacity and an increase in VO2 max upon aerobic training, when compared with people with the C variant of the gene.
| Genotype | Phenotype |
|---|---|
| AA | [Advantage] More likely to improve VO2 max on training [Advantage] More likely to have better aerobic capacity [Advantage] Better endurance ability |
| AC | Moderate endurance and moderate aerobic capacity |
| CC | [Limitation]Less likely to improve VO2 max on training [Limitation] More likely to have lower aerobic capacity [Limitation] Lower endurance ability than people with the A variant |
| For people with A variant (Better Endurance) Likely better at endurance running and better aerobic capacity. Tennis, dancing and participating in marathons are some endurance based activities |
|---|
| For people with G variant (Lower Endurance) Likely poor at endurance running Endurance based activities would require additional training and more effort. |
|---|
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=17357964
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22749526?dopt=Abstract
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20028934
“Nutrigenetics, fitness genetics, health genetics are all nascent but rapidly growing areas within human genetics. The information provided herein is based on preliminary scientific studies and it is to be read and understood in that context.”
