In summary, our data demonstrated that reduced phosphorylation of ATG4B could damage the autophagy ability of cells, promote the occurrence of EndMT, and then participate in the progression of DKD, while aucubin upregulates the phosphorylation of ATG4B, restores autophagy, weakens EndMT, and inhibits the progression of DKD. The gene discussed is ATG4B; the disease is diabetic kidney disease.