The frequency of the ACTN3 polymorphism in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background The ACTN3 gene encodes the protein alpha-actinin-3, which is crucial for fast-twitch muscle fibers, contributing to rapid and forceful contractions. The distribution of these genotypes and their impact on sports performance in Brazilian populations are not well-documented. This s...

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Main Authors: Valmir Oliveira Silvino, Cirley Pinheiro Ferreira, Helen Matias Apaza, Valtemir Silvino de Souza-Junior, Sérgio Luís Galan Ribeiro, Sandro Soares Almeida, Marcos Antonio Pereira dos Santos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Medical Genomics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12920-025-02136-1
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author Valmir Oliveira Silvino
Cirley Pinheiro Ferreira
Helen Matias Apaza
Valtemir Silvino de Souza-Junior
Sérgio Luís Galan Ribeiro
Sandro Soares Almeida
Marcos Antonio Pereira dos Santos
author_facet Valmir Oliveira Silvino
Cirley Pinheiro Ferreira
Helen Matias Apaza
Valtemir Silvino de Souza-Junior
Sérgio Luís Galan Ribeiro
Sandro Soares Almeida
Marcos Antonio Pereira dos Santos
author_sort Valmir Oliveira Silvino
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The ACTN3 gene encodes the protein alpha-actinin-3, which is crucial for fast-twitch muscle fibers, contributing to rapid and forceful contractions. The distribution of these genotypes and their impact on sports performance in Brazilian populations are not well-documented. This study aimed to determine the allelic and genotypic frequency of the ACTN3 R/X polymorphism in Brazil and its association with sports performance. Methods A systematic review was conducted, including studies sourced from PubMed, Scielo, LILACS, LIPECS, Coleciona SUS, CUMED, BINACIS, IBECS, and MEDLINE databases, resulting in 42 studies included. The quality of these studies was assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Genetic Association (STREGA) guidelines. Results Among all the 8,746 participants, 35.2% had the RR genotype, 46.2% had the RX genotype, and 18.6% had the XX genotype. Regarding allelic frequency, 58.3% were R allele carriers, while 41.7% were X allele carriers. Meta-analysis showed that there was no consistent association between the ACTN3 genotypes and sports performance, although some data suggested potential benefits in athletic performance. Conclusion This study revealed that the RX genotype of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is the most prevalent in Brazil, followed by the RR and XX genotypes. While the R allele was more frequent, the meta-analysis did not confirm a consistent association between ACTN3 genotypes and sports performance, suggesting that other genetic and environmental factors contribute to athletic success.
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spelling doaj-art-c220d8e50c7142a6b094e4ef6fec4ba32025-08-20T03:53:32ZengBMCBMC Medical Genomics1755-87942025-04-0118111010.1186/s12920-025-02136-1The frequency of the ACTN3 polymorphism in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysisValmir Oliveira Silvino0Cirley Pinheiro Ferreira1Helen Matias Apaza2Valtemir Silvino de Souza-Junior3Sérgio Luís Galan Ribeiro4Sandro Soares Almeida5Marcos Antonio Pereira dos Santos6Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Nucleus of Study in Physiology Applied to Performance and Health (NEFADS), Federal University of PiauiDepartment of Biophysics and Physiology, Nucleus of Study in Physiology Applied to Performance and Health (NEFADS), Federal University of PiauiDepartment of Obstetrician, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Department of Physical Education, State University of PiauíDepartment of Biophysics and Physiology, Nucleus of Study in Physiology Applied to Performance and Health (NEFADS), Federal University of PiauiDepartment of Obstetrician, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Nucleus of Study in Physiology Applied to Performance and Health (NEFADS), Federal University of PiauiAbstract Background The ACTN3 gene encodes the protein alpha-actinin-3, which is crucial for fast-twitch muscle fibers, contributing to rapid and forceful contractions. The distribution of these genotypes and their impact on sports performance in Brazilian populations are not well-documented. This study aimed to determine the allelic and genotypic frequency of the ACTN3 R/X polymorphism in Brazil and its association with sports performance. Methods A systematic review was conducted, including studies sourced from PubMed, Scielo, LILACS, LIPECS, Coleciona SUS, CUMED, BINACIS, IBECS, and MEDLINE databases, resulting in 42 studies included. The quality of these studies was assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Genetic Association (STREGA) guidelines. Results Among all the 8,746 participants, 35.2% had the RR genotype, 46.2% had the RX genotype, and 18.6% had the XX genotype. Regarding allelic frequency, 58.3% were R allele carriers, while 41.7% were X allele carriers. Meta-analysis showed that there was no consistent association between the ACTN3 genotypes and sports performance, although some data suggested potential benefits in athletic performance. Conclusion This study revealed that the RX genotype of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is the most prevalent in Brazil, followed by the RR and XX genotypes. While the R allele was more frequent, the meta-analysis did not confirm a consistent association between ACTN3 genotypes and sports performance, suggesting that other genetic and environmental factors contribute to athletic success.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12920-025-02136-1Alpha-actinin-3GeneticsBrazilianStrengthEnduranceSports
spellingShingle Valmir Oliveira Silvino
Cirley Pinheiro Ferreira
Helen Matias Apaza
Valtemir Silvino de Souza-Junior
Sérgio Luís Galan Ribeiro
Sandro Soares Almeida
Marcos Antonio Pereira dos Santos
The frequency of the ACTN3 polymorphism in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis
BMC Medical Genomics
Alpha-actinin-3
Genetics
Brazilian
Strength
Endurance
Sports
title The frequency of the ACTN3 polymorphism in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full The frequency of the ACTN3 polymorphism in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr The frequency of the ACTN3 polymorphism in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed The frequency of the ACTN3 polymorphism in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short The frequency of the ACTN3 polymorphism in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort frequency of the actn3 polymorphism in brazil a systematic review and meta analysis
topic Alpha-actinin-3
Genetics
Brazilian
Strength
Endurance
Sports
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12920-025-02136-1
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