What is the function of Nephrin?

Nephrin is a key molecule in podocytes to maintain normal slit diaphragm structure. Nephin interacts with many other podocyte and slit diaphragm protein and also mediates important cell signaling pathways in podocytes. Loss of nephrin during the development leads to the congenital nephrotic syndrome in children.

What contains podocytes?

Podocytes are cells in Bowman’s capsule in the kidneys that wrap around capillaries of the glomerulus. Podocytes make up the epithelial lining of Bowman’s capsule, the third layer through which filtration of blood takes place.

What are foot processes?

The foot processes are the adhesive apparatus of podocytes that allow attachment to the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Foot processes interdigitate with those of the neighboring podocytes. The primary processes are the connecting structure between the cell body and the foot processes.

What do Nephrin and Podocin do?

Nephrin and CD2AP interact with PI3-kinase (PI3K), recruit it to the plasma membrane and, with podocin, stimulate PI3K-dependent AKT signaling.

Where is Nephrin made?

“Nephrin is specifically located at the slit diaphragm of glomerular podocytes”. Proc. Natl. Acad.

Do podocytes have cell body?

The Podocyte. Podocytes are highly specialized epithelial cells that cover the outside of the glomerular capillary. Podocytes have a cell body with numerous primary, secondary and tertiary extensions, called foot processes.

What is the function of the podocytes?

Abstract. Podocytes play an important role in glomerular function. Together with endothelial cells of the glomerular capillary loop and the glomerular basement membrane they form a filtration barrier. Podocytes cooperate with mesangial cells to support the structure and function of the glomerulus.

Is Nephrin negatively charged?

Nephrin is a transmembrane protein that is a structural component of the slit diaphragm. They are present on the tips of the podocytes as an intricate mesh and convey strong negative charges which repel protein from crossing into the Bowman’s space.

How many podocytes are in a kidney?

Although adult human glomeruli contain approximately 600 podocytes each,12,13 adult mouse glomeruli contain only 70–75 podocytes. This difference highlights an important issue: 20% podocyte depletion in humans involves the loss of 120 podocytes but the loss of only 14–15 podocytes for mice.