TRIM63 (MuRF-1) gene polymorphism is associated with biomarkers of exercise-induced muscle damage

Unaccustomed strenuous exercise can lead to muscle strength loss, inflammation and delayed onset muscle soreness, which may be influenced by genetic variation. We investigated if a missense single nucleotide polymorphism (A>G, rs2275950) within the TRIM63 gene (encoding MuRF-1 and potentially affecting titin mechanical properties) was associated with the variable response to unaccustomed eccentric exercise. Sixty-five untrained, healthy participants (genotyped for rs2275950: AA, AG and GG) performed 120 maximal eccentric knee extensions (ECC) to induce muscle damage. Isometric and isokinetic maximal voluntary knee extension contractions (MVCs) and muscle soreness were assessed before, immediately after, and 48h after ECC. AA homozygotes were consistently stronger [baseline isometric MVC: 3.23$0.92 Nm/kg (AA) vs. 2.09$0.67 Nm/kg (GG); p=0.006] and demonstrated less muscle soreness over time (p=0.022) compared to GG homozygotes. This may be explained by greater titin stiffness in AA homozygotes, leading to intrinsically stronger muscle fibers that are more resistant to eccentric damaging contractions.