Presently, it has been found that a variety of signal pathways are involved in the regulation of podocyte autophagy, among which DN is closely related to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), oxidative stress, NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase, silent information regulatory factor-1 (Sirt1) signal pathway, Atg12-ATG5 coupling system, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The gene discussed is ATG12; the disease is liver dysplastic nodule.