Athletic Performance Gene Boosting

People who carry the longer version of a particular gene have better endurance, giving them an athletic edge over those who inherit a shorter version of the gene, new research suggests. The gene, known as the ACE gene, for angiotensin-converting enzyme, is found in muscle. There are two variants of this gene, with one 287 base pairs longer than the other. In the February 10th issue of Nature, British researchers report that among army recruits they …

…Montgomery, muscle cells are the ''fuel-injection system,'' and the longer ACE variant keeps it running more economically. These findings also lend some insight into why ACE inhibitor drugs can effectively treat heart disease, the researchers note. ''If heart muscle cells are made more efficient, the heart would have less work to do,'' Montgomery explained. ``And if the heart gets more efficient, then it could do more work on less fuel.'' SOURCE: Nature 2000;403:614.