ATG7

ATG7 is an essential gene that produces a protein acting as an "autophagy" facilitator, which is a process where cells clean out damaged parts and recycle components to maintain health. Think of ATG7 as a coordinator that helps assemble the cellular cleaning machinery. This process is vital for cell survival, especially during stress or nutrient shortages, and helps prevent diseases like neurodegeneration and cancer. Without ATG7, cells struggle to perform autophagy properly, leading to accumulation of waste and potential cell damage.