title: A brief overview on IRM function across evolution.
abstract: The description of the Rst protein by Karl-Friedrich Fischbach and colleagues was a milestone in the discovery of the irre cell recognition module (IRM). IRM proteins represent a family of immunoglobulin superfamily cell adhesion proteins that orchestrate intercellular adhesion and signaling events necessary for the development of various tissues. This review briefly summarizes the fundamental role of IRM proteins for neuronal wiring and filtration in organisms spanning the evolutionary distance from Drosophila (nephrocyte diaphragm) to humans (slit diaphragm).
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, University Hospital Freiburg , Freiburg , Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Helmstädter
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Höhne
authors.forename: Tobias B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Huber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000235:genetics*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; C085209:rst protein, Drosophila
keywords: IRM proteins; Neph1; nephrin; nephrocytes; podocytes