In HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) models, studies have delineated that FAT10ylation is involved in disease progression through pro-apoptotic pathways: HIV-1-infected renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) exhibit significant FAT10 upregulation, which activates intrinsic apoptotic cascades to drive RTEC apoptosis (Ross et al., 2006). The gene discussed is UBD; the disease is HIV-associated nephropathy.