In an experimental diabetic nephropathy model, three hallmarks of ER-associated apoptosis, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and caspase-12, were found to have activated, suggesting that apoptosis induced by ERS occurred in diabetic kidney, which may contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy [28]. This evidence concerns the gene DDIT3 and diabetic kidney disease.