Glomerular podocytes possess the synaptic vesicle molecule Rab3A and its specific effector rabphilin-3a.

ABSTRACT: Several recent studies have focused on similarities between glomerular podocytes and neurons because the two cells share a specialized cytoskeletal organization and several expression-restricted proteins, such as nephrin and synaptopodin. In neurons, the small guanosine triphosphatase Rab3A and its effector rabphilin-3A form a complex required for the correct docking of synaptic vesicles to their target membrane. Because rabphilin-3A binds in neurons to cytoskeletal proteins also important for podocyte homeostasis, and the complex rabphilin-3A-Rab3A has been demonstrated in neurons and neuroendocrine cells, the aim of our work was to investigate their possible expression and regulation in podocytes. Normal kidneys from mouse, rat, and human were studied by immunohistochemistry, Western blo

SUBMITTER: Rastaldi MP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1868247 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature