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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/umod/

UMOD gene

uromodulin

Normal Function

The UMOD gene provides instructions for making a protein called uromodulin. This protein is produced by the kidneys and then excreted from the body in urine. The function of uromodulin remains unclear, although it is known to be the most abundant protein in the urine of healthy individuals. Researchers have suggested that uromodulin may protect against urinary tract infections. It may also help control the amount of water in urine.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Uromodulin-associated kidney disease

More than 40 mutations in the UMOD gene have been found to cause uromodulin-associated kidney disease. Most of these mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) used to make uromodulin. These mutations alter the structure of the protein, preventing its release from kidney cells. Abnormal buildup of uromodulin may trigger the self-destruction (apoptosis) of cells in the kidneys, causing kidney disease.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • Tamm-Horsfall protein
  • UROM_HUMAN

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Bernascone I, Vavassori S, Di Pentima A, Santambrogio S, Lamorte G, Amoroso A, Scolari F, Ghiggeri GM, Casari G, Polishchuk R, Rampoldi L. Defective intracellular trafficking of uromodulin mutant isoforms. Traffic. 2006 Nov;7(11):1567-79. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2006.00481.x. Epub 2006 Sep 30. Citation on PubMed
  • Bleyer AJ, Kidd K, Zivna M, Kmoch S. Autosomal Dominant Tubulointerstitial Kidney Disease - UMOD. 2007 Jan 12 [updated 2021 Dec 23]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, Gripp KW, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2024. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1356/ Citation on PubMed
  • Hart TC, Gorry MC, Hart PS, Woodard AS, Shihabi Z, Sandhu J, Shirts B, Xu L, Zhu H, Barmada MM, Bleyer AJ. Mutations of the UMOD gene are responsible for medullary cystic kidney disease 2 and familial juvenile hyperuricaemic nephropathy. J Med Genet. 2002 Dec;39(12):882-92. doi: 10.1136/jmg.39.12.882. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Lens XM, Banet JF, Outeda P, Barrio-Lucia V. A novel pattern of mutation in uromodulin disorders: autosomal dominant medullary cystic kidney disease type 2, familial juvenile hyperuricemic nephropathy, and autosomal dominant glomerulocystic kidney disease. Am J Kidney Dis. 2005 Jul;46(1):52-7. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2005.04.003. Citation on PubMed
  • Rampoldi L, Caridi G, Santon D, Boaretto F, Bernascone I, Lamorte G, Tardanico R, Dagnino M, Colussi G, Scolari F, Ghiggeri GM, Amoroso A, Casari G. Allelism of MCKD, FJHN and GCKD caused by impairment of uromodulin export dynamics. Hum Mol Genet. 2003 Dec 15;12(24):3369-84. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddg353. Epub 2003 Oct 21. Citation on PubMed
  • Vylet'al P, Kublova M, Kalbacova M, Hodanova K, Baresova V, Stiburkova B, Sikora J, Hulkova H, Zivny J, Majewski J, Simmonds A, Fryns JP, Venkat-Raman G, Elleder M, Kmoch S. Alterations of uromodulin biology: a common denominator of the genetically heterogeneous FJHN/MCKD syndrome. Kidney Int. 2006 Sep;70(6):1155-69. doi: 10.1038/sj.ki.5001728. Epub 2006 Aug 2. Citation on PubMed
  • Williams SE, Reed AA, Galvanovskis J, Antignac C, Goodship T, Karet FE, Kotanko P, Lhotta K, Moriniere V, Williams P, Wong W, Rorsman P, Thakker RV. Uromodulin mutations causing familial juvenile hyperuricaemic nephropathy lead to protein maturation defects and retention in the endoplasmic reticulum. Hum Mol Genet. 2009 Aug 15;18(16):2963-74. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddp235. Epub 2009 May 22. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.