We showed that consistent hyperglycemia caused striking structural mutations of podocyte-specific proteins p-cadherin and ZO-1, which are also key components of the SD, and a simultaneous retraction of FPs in podocytes at as early as 6 weeks; in diabetic mice where Rac1 was depleted, these alterations were significantly restored. The gene discussed is CDH3; the disease is Hyperglycemia.