Moreover, there was no significant difference in the Gd-IgA1 levels of patients with other renal diseases compared with healthy controls, suggesting that a highly elevated Gd-IgA1 level is specific to IgA nephropathy and could be used to distinguish IgAN from membrane nephropathy, MCD, Alport syndrome or other renal diseases. The gene discussed is IGHA1; the disease is Alport syndrome.