Call Duration as an Indicator of Genetic Quality in Male Gray Tree Frogs

 It is hypothesized that male gray tree frogs who perform longer duration mating calls are more genetically fit. Female mating partners are also more likely to prefer a male that has the longer duration of mating call, compared to a frog that has a shorter duration mating call. This was identified by studying half-siblings which were mated with males with varying durations of mating call. It was found that males with longer mating calls had better outcomes and better chance of survival in the juvenile stage of life. There was an decrease in mortality in the larval stage, and the overall success was measured by frogs able to survive to adulthood. It is interesting to know that frog mating calls could have such a suggestion that they would produce more fit offspring than frogs that could not produce the same length mating call.

Link to article: https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.280.5371.1928

Link to resource: https://sigreenbelt.org/gray-treefrog-hyla-versicolor-at-home-in-the-greenbelt/

Scientists find 13 candidate genes associated with fitness outcomes

Physical exercise is necessary for optimal health, the prevention of chronic diseases, and the avoidance of premature mortality. According to the 2018 physical activity guidelines for Americans, a balance of moderate and rigorous intensity physical activity, as well as muscle-strengthening activities involving the major muscle groups, is recommended. A meta-analysis published in PLOS ONE by Cambridge University researchers identified 13 potential genes linked to fitness results in previously untrained adults. Genetic factors were responsible for 72 percent of the variation in the strength training group's results. In the aerobic (44 percent) and anaerobic power groups, genetic variables had a smaller impact on the outcomes (10 percent). More research is needed to establish the precise roles of fitness genes and how to effectively tailor exercise instruction to individual genetic profiles. Cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and anaerobic power are the three components needed to evaluate health-related fitness. Cardiovascular fitness, also known as cardiorespiratory fitness, refers to how well the respiratory and circulatory systems provide oxygen to the skeletal muscle during physical activity. The maximum oxygen uptake (VO2) test determines the maximum oxygen consumption capacity of the body throughout a high-intensity activity, such as treadmill exercise. "Environment is a major factor for trainability," Dr. Bernd Wolfarth, professor in the Department of Sports Medicine at Humboldt University, Berlin, says in a session at the 22nd Annual Congress of the European College of Sports Science. "We know that about 25–40 percent of the variability of phenotype comes from genes, and the other 60–75 percent comes from environmental effects." Candidate genes may be able to predict successful responses to specific types of exercise training. These genes may have an impact on the body's energy processes, metabolism, storage, and cell proliferation. Following these findings, researchers from Anglia Ruskin University's Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences conducted a meta-analysis to discover the exact versions, or alleles, of candidate genes linked to the exercise response in untrained people. Strength, anaerobic power, and cardiovascular fitness were all measured by the team. From each parent, an individual inherits one allele of each gene. If both alleles are the same, the individual is homozygous for the gene; if the two alleles are different, the individual is heterozygous for the gene.

Scientists Find 13 Candidate Genes Associated with Fitness Outcomes

In this article researchers found that there is a specific type of gene called candidate gene may be able to predict successful responses from targeted types of workouts within peoples training as well as influence energy pathways. metabolism, storage and cell growth in the body. A meta-analysis was conducted to find specific versions or alleles of the candidate genes in relation to untrained participants response to exercise and analyzed strength, anaerobic power, as well as cardiopulmonary fitness. The study was also able to tell wether it was identified genes or alleles which was the contributor to differences within exercise training responses within the participants of the study. Researchers had been able to identify 13 candidate genes and alleles from which there were nine, six, and four that were correlated with cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, as well as anaerobic power. When breaking down these three categories, it was interpreted that 44% of the difference in aerobic training responses were due to genetic influences. Within the power group genes had less influence with only having 10% of the variability in response to being due to genetics. As researchers learn more about phenotypic expressions of the various haplotypes within genes there will eventually be a spectrum to help interpret them moving froward. The meta- analysis was able to classify the study groups, however further studies will have to find out the exact role of the genes influencing cardiopulmonary fitness, strength and anaerobic power. The benefit of finding the exact role will help to better support the optimization and individualization for exercise programs based on the genetic makeup of a person.

Finding the Optimal Genetic Distance

 

Baker’s Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

When in search for the optimal genetic distance scientists surprisingly find the answer in the classic fable Goldilocks and the Three Bears. According to Jianzhi Zhang, a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan, and his doctoral student Xinzhu Wei, have proposed that the optimal mating distance (OMD) for a species is the average genetic difference between two individuals in that selected species. Goldilocks definitely had a point in finding the answer that was not too small or too large, but just right. Thus, scientists have now determined the optimal mating distance of three model organisms to support this claim. By finding the OMD in baker's yeast, the plant Arabidopsis and mice, this research shows its applicability in the three major lineages of eukaryotes.
     Optimal mating distance is the measured genetic difference between an individual’s parents. For decades, it has been in the science field's best interest to find a way to determine this value for each species. According to evolutionary theory, one can predict that finding the optimal mating distance of a species would, in turn, maximize the fitness of an individual. This prediction is supported by the idea that a healthy balance between heterozygosity and common genetic material produces the fittest offspring.
     Heterozygosity allows for genetic variation and can lead to the production of hybrid offspring if two distinct parent lines are crossed. However, if the genetic distance is too large, genetic incompatibility can become harmful to the individual. On the contrary, an extreme of too little or no genetic variation is also dangerous for it increases chances of extinction and inhibits a population's ability to evolve to its changing environment. This being said, it is essential to find the sweet spot between the two extremes.
     I feel that this work is important for it can be used to improve multiple areas within the science fields. This knowledge can be applied agriculturally to increase yield and work towards alleviating food insecurity or could be used in the conservation efforts of endangered species.

Resources:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181107143446.htm

Can Tom Brady’s Success be Linked to Genetics?

Tom Brady, ‘super human’? How genetics may contribute to his success

Just a few short weeks ago, Tom Brady led his team to another super bowl championship. His incredible performance is amplified by the fact that he is about 40 years old. While most players his age are long retired, Brady’s performance has some people thinking that he really is a superhuman! Scientists, however, are more convinced by research that shows rigorous training can awaken dormant genes and kick them into high gear. These genes are related to muscle and blood vessel structure. Although Brady is not actually a superhuman, his DNA is what enables him to be superior to other players his age.

            People like Tom Brady are incredibly interesting because they are hard to come by. To a common person, he seems like an “ageless wonder”. To scientists, on the other hand, he seems like good research subject. Genetic research that can shed light on maintaining a healthy and impressive “fitness age” could benefit many people that struggle to stay in shape. Even if you’re not a Patriots fan, it is hard to deny that Tom Brady is one of the greats!

Related link: How much does genetics really affect your fitness

Is your Fitness Level a Result of your Genes?

Everywhere you go you've probably heard someone say "nothing works for me, no matter what I do I can't get in shape." With recent studies there has been a possible answer to these people's frustration! The fact that no matter what some people do they never seem more fit than when they started exercise can be explained by not the lack of effort, but from your DNA! The genetics of fitness study was published in The Journal of Applied Physiology.

The expectation is you exercise and get fit. However, not always the case!

This study is the first study type that looks at the effect of any type of exercise. The part of the DNA that was looked at are called single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). It was studied how a certain SNP affects how susceptible a person is to exercise. In this study more than 300,000 people participated in a 5 month long exercise period. They were required to bike stationary three times a week. The intensities that they were to bike at were determined by the scientists and everyone had the same intensity level. After the five month period certain people were much more fit compared to when they had started while others were not. To determine whether fitness had improved they compared the amount of oxygen their bodies needed. This is called a person's VO2 max. For those who were more fit after the five months there VO2 max increased, for others the number barely moved. There seemed to be no definite conclusions to why these people's VO2 max didn't increase, such as because of their age or body mass. However, there was a difference in the genomes. Out of all the participants who completed the exercise period scientists identified 21 specific SNPs that varied between those who got more fit and those who didn't. Since humans get two sets of alleles one from their mother's side and one from their father's there are actually 42 different variations of these SNPs.

What exactly do these SNPs mean? Those who had 19 or more SNPs improved there fitness by more than 3 times compared to those who only had 9 or less SNPs. One of the SNPs located on the ACSL1 gene was shown to have a high effect on exercise. It resulted in as much as 6 percent in the difference between those whose fitness improved and those whose fitness didn't. This makes sense because this gene is known for playing a role in how the body metabolizes fat. Although there still has to be many more studies done on this concept it is interesting to discover that genes may effect physical ability. Within the future more studies will be done with different ethnicity's to determine SNPs that are shared and what other genes may be affected.

Do Genes Play a Role in our Aerobic Fitness?

Have you ever been in a situation where you’re trying to get fit but even after months, you see no apparent change, whereas others experience noticeable differences in a shorter time span? According to a new study, genes may be the ones to blame for this. Researchers from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La., and other institutions examined a group of 473 healthy white individuals over five months responding to an aerobic workout routine. The optimal goal of this experiment was examine the entire genome of people with various traits and determine whether tiny segments of DNA, called single-nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs recur frequently in those traits. The presence of any of these SNP’s would suggest that a particular snippet affects the susceptibility to exercise. Over the five-month length of this program, individuals pedaled stationary bicycles 3 times a week at the same controlled rate. As expected, some individuals became fitter than others, which was determined by an increase of oxygen in their bodies while performing exercise, a measure called maximal oxygen capacity or VO₂. There were no obvious factors that played a role in this such as age differences or body mass. Instead, there was a deviation in their genomes. Out of the 300,000 or so SNPs examined, 21 differed consistently between the two groups. Persons who had more than 19 of these specific SNPs improved their cardiorespiratory fitness as opposed to those who had 9 or fewer. One particular SNP located on the gene ACSL₁ was found to account for as much as 6 percent of the difference in response among the participants. This particular gene is also known to play a role in how the body metabolizes fat so its relation with exercise could make sense.

Though this research doesn’t entirely confirm genes play a role in our body’s general fitness, it provides a start for further research to expand on this theory. I found this article very interesting because I personally have experienced friends take significantly longer to achieve their fitness goals whereas others get there in shorter period and with the possibility of genes playing a role, it could certainly explain why.

Fitness May be All in Your Genes

Why are some people able to look like they've been body building for years in a matter of weeks, while others are unable to see any change in their bodies after months of laboring in the gym?  Research has shown that it may have something to do with genes, thus plunging us into the era of "exercise genetics research". The Heritage Family Study, located in Baton Rouge, La., have had an ongoing study of exercise genetics. The study has provided us with insight on how various exercise traits tend to run in families. 

However, the biggest discovery from the Heritage Family Study to date is the comparison of SNP's (single - nucleotide polymorphisms) that occurred in  one genome to the person's ability to become more fit in a shorter amount of time. Through various tests over the course of five months, and by monitoring the amount of oxygen each person's body took in during the tests, it was discovered that there was a correlation between having a higher number of SNP's and having the potential to become fit more quickly. Someone with over 19 SNP's tended to become fit three times more quickly than someone with less than 19 SNP's. One SNP in particular, located on the gene ACSL1, accounted for up to 6% of the persons ability to become fit more quickly. 

It will be years before there will be tests to accurately predict how long it would take someone to get in shape, however, these discoveries are the crucial first steps to moving towards a fitter future. The ability of nutritionists to potentially differentiate the difference between multiple client's ability to become fit could ultimately give them the upper hand in creating nutritional plans and helping people to become fit by deciding how strict their diets should be. This discovery will help many health care fields geared towards weight the ability to better understand their clients and create more accurate plans for that person to get in shape. 

The original article can be found here. 

A powerpoint made by a Stanford student giving a more detailed look at the genetics behind fitness can be found here. 

Discovery of a mechanism that controls the fitness of cells has been found.

     Scientists at The UT Southwestern Medical Center uncovered a mechanism that controls the fitness of cells. The cell biologist team say they may be able to explain the aging of cells and how they initiate and transmit diseases by a mechanism involving the end caps of DNA. They discovered that the telomeres form loops that determine whether or not certain genes are turned off when young and are activated later in life. These genes contribute to aging and diseases. 

     Dr. Jerry W, leader of the team, said "Our results suggest a potential novel mechanism for how the length of telomeres may silence genes early in life and then contribute to their activation later in life when telomeres are progressively shortened. This is a new way of gene regulation that is controlled by telomere length." 

     As known, telomeres cap the ends of the cell's chromosomes to protect them from damage. However, each time the cell divides, the telomeres become shorter and once they reach a certain length, the cell can’t divide anymore. When it can’t divide, it goes into a phase known as “growth-arrest phase” and begins to produce different products than the younger cell produced. The telomere shortening has been shown to influence which genes are active or silent in some diseases.

     The team showed that when a telomere is long, the endcap can form a loop with the chromosome that brings the telomere close to genes once thought of as too far away to be regulated by telomere length. Once the telomere and “new” genes on the same chromosome are close enough to each other, the telomeres switch those genes to be “off.” The team also showed that when telomeres are short, the chromosome does not form a loop. Without this loop, the telomere can decide to turn that target gene on or off.

     Dr. Wright said, "We have developed the concept that telomere shortening could be used as a timing mechanism to respond to physiological changes in very long-lived organisms, such as humans, to optimize fitness in an age-appropriate fashion."

     This new discovery could potentially cure diseases that are due to the aging of cells. If a treatment can be discovered to help promote the looping of these telomeres before they become that critically short length, the possibilities of cures are endless. 

Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141115083112.htm

WILL YOUR DANCE MOVES AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO FIND A MATE?

Researchers at Northumbria University and the University of Gottingen examined the science of dancing in order to determine what draws a women to a male dancing partner. Dancing ability, specifically of men, may serve as a factor in mate quality. The researchers conducted an experiment in which they recruited 30 men to dance to a drum for 30 seconds while their movements were recorded via a motion-capture system. The dance of each participant was computed into a “featureless, gender-neutral” avatar. 37 women were then asked to rate each performance based on a seven-point scale.

FINDINGS: The women favored men who showed larger and more variable movements of the head, neck and torso. In addition, there was a positive response to quick leg movements that displayed coordination. The study suggests that although more research is needed, men’s dance moves could carry “honest signals of traits such as health, fitness, genetic quality and developmental history.”

Genetics and the Influences on Dance

Sex steroids including testosterone are responsible for sex differentiation during the development of a male body. A reference provided in the original study found that prenatal levels of testosterone may not only play a role in male facial development but also male dance movement.

Past research on selections in human mating acknowledge many cues that utilize phenotypes to evaluate men. For example, studies show that males with prominent facial features are associated with higher testosterone levels and are, therefore, perceived to be more masculine and dominant. Preferences for a more masculine face may reflect the chance of selecting for heritable immunity to infectious disease, since testosterone is noted to have immunosuppressant effects. Overall, evolutionary theory suggests that the prevalence of T-related secondary traits reflect a man’s reproductive viability.

I found this article to be very interesting. Although you would not normally associate something such as dance moves in the quality of a partner this study shows its actual significance. Further, in reviewing other articles referenced in the study it is apparent that several heuristic studies have been conducted that examine mate selection. More research still needs to be done in order to strengthen the findings, however, this information provided is in intriguing topic that links genetics to mate selection in today’s society.

References: 

Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/03/24/what-women-want-on-the-dance-floor-according-to-science/

 

Study: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/static/5007/neave_dance.pdf

 

Reference provided in study : http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019188690600290X