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Gene Doping

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Doping in Sports: Biochemical Principles, Effects and Analysis

Part of the book series: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology ((HEP,volume 195))

Abstract

Gene doping abuses the legitimate approach of gene therapy. While gene therapy aims to correct genetic disorders by introducing a foreign gene to replace an existing faulty one or by manipulating existing gene(s) to achieve a therapeutic benefit, gene doping employs the same concepts to bestow performance advantages on athletes over their competitors. Recent developments in genetic engineering have contributed significantly to the progress of gene therapy research and currently numerous clinical trials are underway. Some athletes and their staff are probably watching this progress closely. Any gene that plays a role in muscle development, oxygen delivery to tissues, neuromuscular coordination, or even pain control is considered a candidate for gene dopers. Unfortunately, detecting gene doping is technically very difficult because the transgenic proteins expressed by the introduced genes are similar to their endogenous counterparts. Researchers today are racing the clock because assuring the continued integrity of sports competition depends on their ability to develop effective detection strategies in preparation for the 2012 Olympics, which may mark the appearance of genetically modified athletes.

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Abbreviations

ACE:

Angiotensin-converting enzyme

cDNA:

Complementary DNA

ELISA:

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

EPO:

Erythropoietin

GH:

Growth hormone

GHRH:

Growth hormone releasing hormone

GTP:

Guanosine triphosphate

HIFs:

Hypoxia-inducible factors

IGF-1:

Insulin-like growth factor-1

IL-6:

Interleukin-6

INF-γ:

Interferon gamma

ND:

Not detected

PBMC:

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

pDNA:

Plasmid DNA

PEIs:

Polyethylenimines

PEPCK-C:

Cytosolic phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase

PLGA:

Poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid)

PPAR-δ:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta

RBCs:

Red blood cells

rAAV:

Recombinant adeno-associated virus

rEPO:

Recombinant erythropoietin

RG:

Resomer grade

SB:

Sleeping beauty

SELDI-TOF:

Surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

siRNA:

Short interfering RNA

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha

VEGF:

Vascular endothelial growth factor

WADA:

World Anti-Doping Agency

X-SCID:

X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, SSE # 1194, AUC Avenue, 74, New Cairo, 11835, Egypt

    Hassan M. E. Azzazy

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  1. Hassan M. E. Azzazy
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Correspondence to Hassan M. E. Azzazy .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sportbiochemie Dresden, Institut für Dopinganalytik und, Dresdner Straße 12, Kreischa, 01731, Germany

    Detlef Thieme

  2. Gamle Trondheimsvei 39, Hagan, 1481, Norway

    Peter Hemmersbach

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Azzazy, H.M.E. (2010). Gene Doping. In: Thieme, D., Hemmersbach, P. (eds) Doping in Sports: Biochemical Principles, Effects and Analysis. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 195. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-79088-4_20

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