The Peroxisome Proliferator- Activated Receptor (PPARA) gene is associated with the synthesis of Peroxisome Proliferator- Activated Receptor Alpha (PPARA), a protein associated with the activation of other genes and also in regulation of fatty acid oxidation during exercise. A lack of energy in the cells activate this gene like during endurance exercises or when fasting. Variants of the gene are shown to be associated with endurance, power, aerobic capacity and cardio fitness (heart rate)
PPARA level is higher in tissues which catabolize fatty acids like skeletal and cardiac muscle and the liver while it is lower in other tissues like the pancreas.
Does your 23andme, Ancestry DNA, FTDNA raw data have PPARA gene variant information?
| CHIP Version | PPARA SNPs |
| 23andMe (Use your 23andme raw data to know your PPARA 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 PPARA Variant) | |
| v1 ancestry DNA | Present |
| V2 ancestry DNA (current chip) | Present |
| Family Tree DNA (Use your FTDNA raw data to know your PPARA Variant) | |
| OmniExpress microarray chip | Present |
Association with Endurance:
In a study conducted on athletes, people with G variant were associated with endurance. A similar study conducted on soccer players showed that people with the G variant were highly represented. People with the G variant were found to have higher amount of slow twitch fibers.
Association with Power:
People with the C variant of the gene had better hand grip strength, thereby, better at power based activities than people with the G variant.
Association with Aerobic capacity:
People with the G variant were associated with higher oxygen consumption, thereby better aerobic capacity when compared with people with the C variant of the gene.
Association with Cardio fitness (Oxygen pulse):
People with the G variant were associated with higher values of oxygen pulse.
| Genotype rs4253778 | Phenotype | Recommendation |
| GG | [Advantage] More likely to have better endurance [Advantage] More likely to have more slow twitch fibers [Advantage] More likely to have better aerobic capacity [Advantage] More likely to have higher oxygen pulse | Likely better endurance Include plenty of endurance based activities like dancing and playing cricket into the fitness routine |
| GC | Moderate power and endurance | Likely better endurance Include plenty of endurance based activities like dancing and playing cricket into the fitness routine |
| CC | [Advantage] More likely to have better power [Advantage] More likely to have more fast twitch fibers [Limitation] More likely to have lower aerobic capacity [Limitation] More likely to have lower oxygen pulse | Likely better power Include power based activities like kicking a football and squats into the fitness routine |
References:
- http://www.ommegaonline.org/article-details/Role-of-Peroxisome-Proliferator-Activated-Receptor-Alpha-(PPARA)-rs4253778-Polymorphism-in-Endurance-Phenotype/1152
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226721692_PPARa_gene_variation_and_physical_performance_in_Russian_athletes
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4157815/
“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.”
