Mesangial cell-predominant gene, megsin.
We identified a novel gene, termed megsin, predominantly expressed in mesangial cells utilizing a 3'-directed regional cDNA library from cultured human mesangial cells. Megsin is a novel serine protease inhibitor (serpin), and the level of megsin RNA/protein expression is up-regulated in patients with IgA nephropathy or diabetic nephropathy, suggesting a link between megsin expression and the pathogenesis of mesangial expansion and/or proliferation. To assess the pathophysiological significance of megsin, we produced human megsin transgenic mice. Genetic manipulation of megsin engenders two elementary mesangial lesions, mesangial expansion and an increase in the number of mesangial cells.
Inagi
Reiko
R
Institute of Medical Sciences and Department of Internal Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
Miyata
Toshio
T
Imasawa
Toshiyuki
T
Nangaku
Masaomi
M
Kurokawa
Kiyoshi
K
D000818:Animals; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D015843:Serpins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C114170:SERPINB7 protein, human; C491938:Serpinb7 protein, mouse; C491937:Serpinb7 protein, rat; D015843:Serpins