We review the recent progress achieved on the understanding of the molecular basis of Alport's syndrome. This inherited disease is defined as progressive nephritis with sensorineural hearing loss. In 80%-85% of the families, inheritance is compatible with X-linked dominant transmission, whereas in the remaining cases autosomal dominant transmission is assumed. Histology studies demonstrated that the main defect is within the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). In addition, evidence for an altered GBM antigenicity came from immunofluorescence studies which showed a reduced or absent binding of anti-GBM autoantibodies or monoclonal antibodies to the "Goodpasture antigen" in some families. Subsequent studies added substantial evidence that Alport's syndrome is a type IV collagen disease. Genetic linkage analyses coherently identified an Alport locus at the X-chromosomal region Xq21.3-22. Recently, a previously unknown alpha 5 chain of type IV collagen was identified, and the corresponding gene was also mapped to Xq22. Subsequent studies on Alport families by various groups identified more than 25 COL4A5 lesions. Segregation in linkage with the Alport phenotype could be shown in large kindreds. Mainly deletions and only a few point mutations were described. Most lesions reported so far are heterogeneous. We were able to identify two deletions and one point mutation involving a 3' splice site in 20 Alport families from Germany. One of the patients with a COL4A5 deletion and the patient with the splice site mutation developed anti-GBM antibodies after renal transplantation. In contrast, no COL4A5 lesions have been found in 2 further patients with posttransplant anti-GBM nephritis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)