University of Jaén researchers identify gene linked to male heart disease

A research team from the University of Jaén (UJA), part of the Cardiovascular Research group, has identified a non-coding gene named ‘Walras’ that appears more active in males with heart pathologies than in females.

Using human cells in vitro and mouse models, researchers found that the Walras gene produces an RNA molecule associated with stress and cell death within the heart. This mechanism may explain why men often experience a higher prevalence and more severe progression of cardiovascular diseases compared to women.

The study, which involved collaborations with the University of Cádiz, the MEDINA Foundation, and various international entities, suggests that this discovery opens new avenues for designing targeted therapies to prevent heart damage and improve outcomes for patients with cardiomyopathies.