Aim: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary form of glomerulonephritis worldwide. In the present study, the genetic structure of the NPHS2 gene was studied to verify if podocin plays a role in the pathogenesis of IgAN.
Methods: Clinical characteristics and DNA samples were collected from 26 Chinese children with sporadic IgAN. A direct sequencing was performed after polymerase chain reaction amplification to all the eight exons of the NPHS2 gene.
Results: Three synonymous variants as known polymorphisms (954T-->C homozygous, 1038A-->G heterozygous and homozygous) were found in 3, 4 and 1 patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in the genotypic and allelic frequencies of 954T > C and 1038A > G polymorphisms between the patients and normal controls.
Conclusion: No significant difference in the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the identified 954T > C and 1038A > G polymorphisms between the patients and normal controls was found.