- 24 Impairing megalin expression or function reduces the uptake of nephrotoxic drugs and limits their oxidative damage.25,26 On the other hand, preserving megalin expression by inhibiting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 in proteinuric animals is protective in dampening renal fibrosis and other injury markers.27 The expression of megalin is affected in diseases such as T2D, with unknown consequences to disease progression.28,29. The gene discussed is LRP2; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.