The dysregulated expression of mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, including MRPL3, MRPL15, MRPL9, MRPS35 and DAP3, suggests disruptions in mitochondrial protein synthesis, function and apoptosis regulation, implicating mitochondrial dysfunction in mediating renal injury and cell death in PTDM‐related DKD [31]. Here, DAP3 is linked to diabetic kidney disease.