Аннотация:Keywords: UCP, “Thrifty” Genotype, Athletes, Selection, Mitochondria, Metabolism.
Abstract: Uncoupling protein (UCP) genes appear to be promising candidates for studying the effect of 'thrifty'
genotypes on various aspects of modern human life, starting from susceptibility to obesity and
cardiometabolic diseases and ending with sports talent. The study aims at studying directions of selection for
polymorphic systems of the genes UCP1, UCP2 and UCP3 among athletes engaged in various sports. The
study involved 268 people: 197 athletes (males: n=140; females: n=57) and 71 non-athletes as a control group
(males: n=38; females: n=33). Buccal epithelium was used as a sample of biological material. Genomic DNA
isolation and genotyping of samples for polymorphisms of UCP1 (rs1800592), UCP2 (rs660339), UCP3
(rs1800849) were performed at the premises of Lytech (Moscow). Differences in the distribution of genotype
frequencies of the UCP1 and UCP2 genes between the subgroups within the sample of athletes are statistically
significant (χ2 = 21.2 p = 0.006 and χ2 = 24.06 p = 0.002, respectively). Among the athletes representing
various kinds of sports, the subgroups of aerobic, mixed cyclic and team sports demonstrate the directional
selection of carriers of 'thrifty' genotypes of the studied genes. The subgroup of martial arts is characterized
by the opposite direction in selection.