title: cAMP pathway in podocytes.
abstract: Podocytes possess receptors for a variety of hormones. The following receptors whose stimulation results in increased cAMP levels have been detected in podocytes: adrenergic beta(2) receptor, dopamine D(1) receptor, prostaglandin IP and EP(4) receptors, and parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related protein (PTHrP) receptor. Besides activating protein kinase A, increased levels of cAMP depolarize podocytes via opening of chloride channels. Relatively little is known about the impact of the cAMP pathway on podocyte function. Results obtained in a limited number of studies indicate that cAMP in podocytes may regulate cell morphology, actin assembly, and matrix production. In addition, cAMP seems to attenuate the action of hormones, which activate the Ca(2+)/protein kinase C pathway. Effects of the cAMP pathway on further aspects of podocyte biology, such as contractility, phosphorylation state of slit membrane-associated proteins, glomerular permeability, cell cycle control, and synthesis of reactive oxygen species can be anticipated from studies on other cell types and from studies on isolated glomeruli. In summary, the data available indicate that the cAMP pathway affects several aspects of podocyte biology in an overall glomerulo-protective manner.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology I, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Endlich
authors.forename: Karlhans
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Endlich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000242:Cyclic AMP