Changes E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 gene mRNA expression correlated with IgA1 glycosylation in patients with IgA nephropathy

Background: Recent genomewide association study suggested that the top single-nucleotide polymorphism, rs978056, in HECW1 gene (which encodes HECT, C2 and WW domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1) associated with the levels of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). However, HECW1 expression in IgAN has not yet been examined. Methods: In the following study, we have enrolled 40 patients with IgAN and 40 healthy controls. The expression level of HECW1, as well as plasma levels of Gd-IgA1 and IgA1, were determined detected. Results: IgAN patients presented with significantly elevated Gd-IgA1 and IgA1 levels compared with those of the healthy controls (p