There were significant differences in NBR1 expression among the three groups [early DKD (67.67: 22.18-99.60) pg/ml vs. DM control (70.96: 35.73-205.57) pg/ml, vs. advanced DKD (35.94: 16.02-98.78) pg/ml; both p<0.05], and in VPS37A and ATG4B expression between the early and advanced DKD groups [(23.54: 11.29-35.24) and (27.49: 15.31-50.66) pg/ml vs. (15.31: 6.21-44.34) and (20.49: 8.97-59.18) pg/ml, p<0.05; respectively]. The gene discussed is ATG4B; the disease is diabetic kidney disease.