This gene encodes the glomerular protein podocin which plays a role in the regulation of glomerular permeability, and acts as a linker between the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton. Defects in this gene are the cause of autosomal recessive steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRN). SRN is characterized by onset between three months and five years, resistance to steroid therapy and rapid progression to end-stage renal disease. An alternative splice variant has been described but its full length sequence has not been determined.
