title: Podocyte biology in human disease.
abstract: The podocyte is a highly specialized cell that plays a key role in regulating the glomerular filtration barrier. A number of advances have been made in recent years, linked to the discovery of single-gene defects in hereditary glomerular disease, which highlight the role of this cell in preventing proteinuria. This article reviews the molecular biology of the podocyte, focusing on known genetic abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Renal Medicine, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. janakz@adhb.govt.nz
authors.forename: Janak Rashme
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: de Zoysa
authors.forename: Peter Stewart
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Topham
mesh_terms: D002453:Cell Cycle; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology; D005374:Filtration; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D009024:Morphogenesis; D050199:Podocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A