Okamoto et al. report that APOL1 RNA, but not protein, expressed from chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated alleles activates protein kinase R, inducing glomerular injury in a mouse model. The secondary structure of APOL1 risk variant RNA acts as a scaffold for protein kinase R, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies for CKD.
- Koji Okamoto
- Jason W. Rausch
- Jeffrey B. Kopp
