Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ultra endurance exercise changes the mRNA levels of the autophagy-related and autophagy-regulatory genes. Eight men (44 ± 1 years, range: 38-50 years) took part in a 200-km running race. The average running time was 28 h 03 min ± 2 h 01 min (range: 22 h 15 min-35 h 04 min). A muscle sample was taken from the vastus lateralis 2 weeks prior to the race and 3 h after arrival. Gene expression was assessed by RT-qPCR. Transcript levels of autophagy-related genes were increased by 49% for ATG4b (P = 0.025), 57% for ATG12 (P = 0.013), 286% for Gabarapl1 (P = 0.008) and 103% for LC3b (P = 0.011). The lysosomal enzyme cathepsin L mRNA was upregulated by 123% (P = 0.003). Similarly, transcript levels of the autophagy-regulatory genes BNIP3 and BNIP3l were both increased by 113% (P = 0.031 and P = 0.007, respectively). Since upregulation of these genes has been related with an increased autophagic flux in various models, our results strongly suggest that autophagy is activated in response to ultra endurance exercise.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
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Adult
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Autophagy / genetics*
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Autophagy-Related Protein 12
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Autophagy-Related Proteins
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Biopsy
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Cathepsin L / genetics
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Cysteine Endopeptidases / genetics
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Genetic Markers
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Humans
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Male
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
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Middle Aged
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Muscle Contraction*
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Physical Endurance / genetics*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
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Quadriceps Muscle / metabolism
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Quadriceps Muscle / pathology*
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Running
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Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins / genetics
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Time Factors
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Transcription, Genetic
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Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
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Up-Regulation
Substances
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ATG12 protein, human
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Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
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Autophagy-Related Protein 12
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Autophagy-Related Proteins
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BNIP3 protein, human
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BNIP3L protein, human
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GABARAPL1 protein, human
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Genetic Markers
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Membrane Proteins
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Microtubule-Associated Proteins
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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RNA, Messenger
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Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins
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Tumor Suppressor Proteins
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ATG4B protein, human
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Cysteine Endopeptidases
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CTSL protein, human
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Cathepsin L