The vitamin D receptor () is an important candidate gene in musculoskeletal phenotypes. Polymorphisms in the have been previously associated with several pathologies and muscular strength in athletes and elderly people; however, the literature reported contradictory results. The object of this research was to verify the association between the most studied variants (rs2228570, rs7975232, and rs1544410) and the increase in muscle mass in elite young soccer players.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe gene is involved in the development of skeletal elements, synovial joint formation, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Several polymorphisms are present within the gene, and two of them, rs143384 and 143383, were reported to be correlated with osteoarticular disease or muscle flexibility. The aim of this research is to verify if the worldwide distribution of the rs143384 polymorphism among human populations was shaped by selective pressure, or if it was the result of random genetic drift events.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSaliva houses over 2000 proteins and peptides with poorly clarified functions, including proline-rich proteins, statherin, P-B peptides, histatins, cystatins, and amylases. Their genes are poorly conserved across related species, reflecting an evolutionary adaptation. We searched the nucleotide substitutions fixed in these salivary proteins' gene loci in modern humans compared with ancient hominins.
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