title: Using Drosophila nephrocytes in genetic kidney disease.
abstract: Renal diseases are a growing health burden, and innovative models to study their pathomechanisms are greatly needed. Here, we highlight how the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster can be used to model kidney diseases. We focus on the nephrocyte that has recently been shown to exhibit podocyte and proximal tubular cell features. These cells can be manipulated with precise genetic tools to dissect filtration and reabsorption mechanisms. Thus, they represent a novel and easy-to-use alternative in experimental nephrology.
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Helmstädter
authors.affiliation: Imagine Institute, Paris Descartes University-Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75015, Paris, France. matias.simons@institutimagine.org.|Institut Imagine, 24 Boulevard du Montparnasse, Paris, France. matias.simons@institutimagine.org.
authors.forename: Matias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simons
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological
keywords: Drosophila; Kidney; Podocytes; Proximal tubules; Renal genetics