Genetic Variant of the Gene SPG7 (IMAGE)

University of Ottawa Heart Institute

Genetic Variant of the Gene SPG7

Caption

A genetic variant of the gene SPG7 is associated with increased risk of heart disease. University of Ottawa Heart Institute researchers have shown that this variant increases cardiovascular risk by initiating oxidative stress in mitochondria (shown in red) that leads to chronic inflammation and long-term damage of blood vessels. The mitochondria in an unstressed cell would show primarily as green.

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University of Ottawa Heart Institute

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