Abstract. Differential display PCR was used to identify alternate expression of serum glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (Sgk) mRNA in diabetes-induced renal disease. Differential expression of Sgk mRNA was identified in the kidneys of normal and obese db/db mice, a model of select aspects of human diabetic nephropathy. Sgk mRNA was selectively increased in diabetic mouse kidneys. The Sgk mRNA levels remained constant in other tissues from obese db/db mice. An increase in Sgk mRNA was also observed in the human diabetic kidney. In addition, thrombin, which may play a role in the progression of renal disease, increased Sgk message in cell culture. Because the diabetes-induced increase in Sgk was only observed in the kidney, which is particularly susceptible to diabetes-induced damage, Sgk may play a role in diabetic nephropathy.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.