Studies in mouse models of diabetes or proteinuria have shown that genetic deletion of PKC-δ protects renal tubular cells against apoptosis (Li et al., 2010), and in mice treated with the nephrotoxin cisplatin, gene deletion or pharmacologic blockade of PKC-δ reduces kidney injury and tubular cell apoptosis (Pabla et al., 2011). Here, PRKCD is linked to diabetes mellitus.