Molecular characterization of the apoptosis-related SH3RF1 and SH3RF2 genes and their association with exercise performance in Arabian horses.
Authors: Ropka-Molik K, Stefaniuk-Szmukier M, Piórkowska K, Szmatoła T, Bugno-Poniewierska M
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary Programmed cell death (apoptosis) facilitates adaptive muscle remodelling during exercise training, clearing damaged or redundant muscle fibres to make room for cells better adapted to athletic demands. Polish researchers investigated whether two apoptosis-regulatory genes—SH3RF1 and SH3RF2—show differential expression patterns across training intensities by collecting skeletal muscle biopsies from 15 Arabian horses at rest, immediately after intense galloping, and at the end of a racing season, analysing expression changes via real-time PCR. Notably, SH3RF2 expression increased significantly following intense exercise and remained elevated during the racing season, suggesting this gene plays an active role in the muscular adaptation response to training stress. A parallel genetic association study of 250 Arabian horses revealed that the SH3RF2:c.796 T>C variant (causing a serine-to-proline substitution at position 266) correlated with measurable differences in flat-race performance traits. These findings suggest SH3RF2 warrants consideration as a potential genetic marker for exercise capacity in Arabian horses, and understanding its expression dynamics may help trainers and veterinarians optimise conditioning protocols and identify individuals with superior adaptive potential.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Genetic variation in apoptosis-regulating genes may influence individual athletic capacity and response to training in racing Arabians—genetic testing could help identify horses with better race performance potential
- •Understanding muscle cell turnover through apoptosis helps explain why training programs need progressive intensity to allow proper muscle adaptation
- •This molecular marker could potentially be incorporated into breeding selection criteria for racing performance in Arabian horses
Key Findings
- •SH3RF1 and SH3RF2 genes regulate apoptosis in equine skeletal muscle during different training intensities
- •Gene expression patterns change across untrained state, post-intense exercise, and end of racing season in 15 Arabian horses
- •SH3RF2:c.796 T>C (p.Ser266Pro) genetic variant shows association with race performance traits in 250 Arabian horses