Bcl-2-modifying factor (Bmf) has been identified as a proapoptotic gene differentially expressed in models of diabetes and in renal proximal tubules from patients with diabetes. In vitro studies showed that overexpression of Bmf promoted apoptosis in rat renal proximal tubular cells. By contrast, knockdown of Bmf reduced apoptosis. The overexpression of Bmf detected in kidney tissue from patients with diabetes suggests a role for this protein in the regulation of apoptosis and tubular atrophy in diabetes.