title: [Novel functional molecules of slit membrane].
abstract: Several recent studies have shown that slit membrane (slit diaphragm) located between foot processes of glomerular epithelial cells plays the critical role for maintaining the barrier function of glomerular capillary wall. In 1998, nephrin was identified and was reported to be a critical component of the slit membrane. Following nephrin, several slit membrane-associated molecules were identified. Podocin was identified as a gene product of NPHS2, a mutated gene in patients with autosomal recessive steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. The studies with knockout mice showed that CD2AP and NEPH1 were also functional molecules in the slit membrane. It is reported that podocin interacts with nephrin and CD2AP, and that NEPH1 interacts with nephrin. These studies indicated that the precise arrangement and the interaction of these molecules are essential for maintaining the barrier function of slit membrane.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Nephrology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kawachi
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000166:cytology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C114545:CD2-associated protein; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C431137:KIRREL1 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C407223:NPHS2 protein; D011506:Proteins; C113267:nephrin