Method for predicting the athletic performance potential of a subject

Abstract

A method for predicting the athletic performance potential of a subject comprising the step of assaying a biological sample from a subject for a genetic variant in linkage disequilibrium with MSTN-66493737 (T/C) SNP. The invention also provides an assay for determining the athletic performance potential of a subject.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method of training a Thoroughbred race horse for optimal racing distance, comprising the steps of:
 a) identifying a Thoroughbred race horse that is or may become sufficiently developed for race training,   b) obtaining a biological sample from the horse,   c) obtaining DNA from the sample and conducting a genotypic analysis to identify a genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) in the biological sample from the horse, and   d) training the horse based on results of the analysis;   
       wherein the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) comprises a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) selected from one or more of MSTN66493737 (T/C), BIEC2-417372 (A/G), BIEC2-417308 (T/G), BIEC2-417306 (T/C), or BIEC2-417333 (G/A) wherein:
 i) the horse has a homozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and is trained to race as a sprinter, 
 ii) the horse has a heterozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and is trained to race over middle distances, or 
 iii) the horse does not have the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and is trained to race as a stayer. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the horse is a two-year old. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising a genetic variant in the MSTN gene region. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the genetic variant is in the MSTN gene flanking region. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the DNA from the sample is genomic DNA. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the biological sample is one or more of blood, saliva, skeletal muscle, hair, semen, bone marrow, soft tissue, internal organ biopsy sample, or skin of the horse. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:
 a) extracting or releasing DNA from the biological sample,   b) amplifying a target sequence or region in the DNA,   c) identifying a genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) comprising a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) selected from one or more of MSTN66493737 (C/T), BIEC2-417372 (A/G), BIEC2-417308 (T/G), BIEC2-417306 (T/C), or BIEC2-417333 (G/A), and   d) identifying a Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism, wherein the target sequence or region comprises the MSTN gene region and/or the MSTN gene flanking region, wherein   i) the horse has a homozygous genotype for both the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and the insertion polymorphism and is trained to race as a sprinter,   ii) the horse has a heterozygous genotype for both the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and the insertion polymorphism and is trained to race over middle distances,   iii) the horse has a homozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and a heterozygous phenotype for the insertion polymorphism and is trained to race as a sprinter or over middle distances,   iv) the horse has a heterozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and a homozygous phenotype for the insertion polymorphism and is trained to race as a sprinter or over middle distances, or   v) the horse does not have the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) or the insertion polymorphism and is trained to race as a stayer.   
     
     
         26 . A method of breeding a Thoroughbred race horse with elite athletic performance potential, comprising the steps of:
 a) obtaining a DNA sample from a Thoroughbred broodmare and conducting a genotypic analysis to identify a genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) in the DNA sample from the Thoroughbred broodmare,   b) obtaining a DNA sample from a Thoroughbred stallion and conducting a genotypic analysis to identify a genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) in the DNA sample from the Thoroughbred stallion, and   c) mating the broodmare with the stallion to produce a Thoroughbred offspring, wherein the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) in the broodmare and in the stallion comprises a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) selected from one or more of a MSTN66493737 (C/T), BIEC2-417372 (A/G), BIEC2-417308 (T/G), BIEC2-417306 (T/C), or BIEC2-417333 (G/A) SNP, and wherein:   i) the broodmare and the stallion each have a homozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and the offspring is bred to have elite sprinting performance potential,   ii) the broodmare and the stallion each do not have the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and the offspring is bred to have stamina performance potential,   iii) one of the broodmare and the stallion has a homozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and the other horse in the mating pair has a heterozygous genotypes for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism), and the offspring is bred to have either elite sprinting performance potential or middle distance racing performance potential,   iv) one of the broodmare and stallion has a homozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and the other horse in the mating pair does not have the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism), and the offspring is bred to have middle distance racing performance potential, or   v) the broodmare and the stallion each have a heterozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism), and the offspring is bred to have elite sprinting performance potential, middle distance racing performance potential, or stamina performance potential.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising a genetic variant in the MSTN gene region. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the genetic variant is in the MSTN gene flanking region. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the DNA sample comprises genomic DNA. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the DNA sample of the broodmare and/or stallion is isolated from one or more of blood, saliva, skeletal muscle, hair, semen, bone marrow, soft tissue, internal organ biopsy sample, or skin of the horse. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising the steps of:
 a) amplifying a target sequence or region in the DNA sample of the broodmare and/or stallion,   b) identifying a genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) comprising a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) selected from one or more of MSTN66493737 (C/T), BIEC2-417372 (A/G), BIEC2-417308 (T/G), BIEC2-417306 (T/C), or BIEC2-417333 (G/A), and   c) identifying a Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism, wherein the target sequence or region comprises the MSTN gene region and/or the MSTN gene flanking region, wherein   i) the horse has a homozygous genotype for both the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and the insertion polymorphism, and the offspring has elite sprinting performance potential,   ii) the horse has a heterozygous genotype for both the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and the insertion polymorphism, and the offspring has elite middle-distance racing potential,   ii) the horse has a homozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and a heterozygous phenotype for the insertion polymorphism, and the offspring has either elite sprinting performance potential or middle-distance racing potential,   iv) the horse has a heterozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and a homozygous phenotype for the insertion polymorphism, and the offspring has either elite sprinting performance potential or middle-distance racing potential, or   v) the horse does not have the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) or the insertion polymorphism, and the offspring has stamina performance potential.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising obtaining a DNA sample from the offspring and conducting a genotypic analysis to identify a genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) comprising one or more of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) MSTN66493737 (C/T), BIEC2-417372 (A/G), BIEC2-417308 (T/G), BIEC2-417306 (T/C), or BIEC2-417333 (G/A) in the DNA sample from the offspring, wherein:
 i) the offspring has a homozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and is trained to race as a sprinter,   ii) the offspring has a heterozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and is trained to race over middle distances, or   iii) the offspring does not have the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and is trained to race as a stayer.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising the steps of:
 a) extracting or releasing DNA from the offspring,   b) amplifying a target sequence or region in the DNA,   c) identifying a genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) comprising a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) selected from one or more of selected from one or more of MSTN66493737 (C/T), BIEC2-417372 (A/G), BIEC2-417308 (T/G), BIEC2-417306 (T/C), or BIEC2-417333 (G/A), and   d) identifying a Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism, wherein the target sequence or region comprises the MSTN gene region and/or the MSTN gene flanking region, wherein   i) the offspring has a homozygous genotype for both the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and the insertion polymorphism and is trained to race as a sprinter,   ii) the offspring has a heterozygous genotype for both the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and the insertion polymorphism and is trained to race over middle distances,   ii) the offspring has a homozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and a heterozygous phenotype for the insertion polymorphism and is trained to race as a sprinter or over middle distances,   iv) the offspring has a heterozygous genotype for the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) and a homozygous phenotype for the insertion polymorphism and is trained to race as a sprinter or over middle distances, or   v) the offspring does not have the genetic variant that is linked to a functional variant (Chr18g.66495327Ins227 bp66495326 insertion polymorphism) or the insertion polymorphism and is trained to race as a stayer.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claims 32 - 33 , wherein the DNA sample of the offspring is isolated from one or more of blood, saliva, skeletal muscle, hair, semen, bone marrow, soft tissue, internal organ biopsy sample, or skin of the horse.