CDH1 and kidney disorder: Figure 6A shows that expression of the nephrin mRNA, a protein essential for the normal structure of podocytes, started to decrease in RenTg mice relatively late (after 8 months). Similarly, the expression of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), an indicator of renal tubular damage, was two-fold upregulated at 8 months compared to their respective control animals (Fig. 6B). Interestingly, E-cadherin, a tubular marker of normal epithelial phenotype was decreased only at the latest stages of the renal disease (Fig. 6C).