title: [Podocytes: genetics and biology].
abstract: Progresses in podocyte biology have been strictly connected with genetic advances; the identification of genes mutated in familial and sporadic forms of nephrotic syndrome has been followed by functional studies of the encoded proteins, revealing numerous properties of the cell. The molecules uncovered so far belong to three main categories: a) proteins located at the slit diaphragm, the intercellular junction which laterally connects podocyte processes and is responsible for selectivity of the glomerular filter, b) molecules involved in regulation of actin dynamics, which are essential for the maintenance of podocyte structure and function, and c) molecules belonging to intracellular organelles, such as mitochondria and lysosomes, which are central players in podocyte metabolism. Considering the key role of the podocyte in health and disease of the glomerular filter, better knowledge of this cell is a pre-requisite for developing targeted therapies of glomerular diseases.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zennaro
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Armelloni
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shojiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pignatari
authors.forename: Masami
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ikehata
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giardino
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mattinzoli
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corbelli
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Rastaldi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003599:Cytoskeleton; D006801:Humans; D008247:Lysosomes; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D008928:Mitochondria; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D050199:Podocytes / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; C113267:nephrin