Nephrin AKTs on actin: The slit diaphragm-actin cytoskeleton signaling network expands.
Regulation and maintenance of the actin cytoskeleton of podocytes has emerged as a critical process for preserving glomerular permselectivity. Signaling through nephrin, a crucial component of the slit diaphragm, can lead to rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. Zhu et al. identify phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent activation of Akt and Rac as mediators of nephrin-induced actin reorganization, expanding the signaling network linking two of the podocyte's unique structures, its actin cytoskeleton and the slit diaphragm.
Schlondorff
J
J
Department of Medicine, Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. jschlondorff@partners.org
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D050199:Podocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction
D000199:Actins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C113267:nephrin; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt