MGP and atherosclerosis: MGP is a vitamin K-dependent protein with 84 amino acids and a molecular weight of 12kDa.64 It is suggested that this would bea critical factor in the development of atherosclerosis in HD individuals.65 The gene encoding MGP has several SNPs inthe its promoter and coding regions.66 Inparticular, the MGP-138CC genotype of the T-138C polymorphism in the gene of thisprotein may be associated with a slower progression of VC in HD patients.