T B Huber | Search PubMed

PubMed2003

[Molecular genetics in nephrology. Genetic kidney diseases provide clues for understanding the pathogenesis of proteinuria].

Recent progress in defining the genetic basis of inherited glomerular diseases has provided a completely new understanding of the glomerular filter of the kidney and has helped illuminate the pathogenesis of acquired and inherited renal proteinuric diseases. Based on the findings of molecular genetics in nephrology we will discuss the current understanding of the glomerular filter and provide an idea how genetic testing in the future may help to guide therapy in patients suffering from nephrotic syndrome and progressive renal failure.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Interaction with podocin facilitates nephrin signaling.

Mutations of NPHS1 or NPHS2, the genes encoding for the glomerular podocyte proteins nephrin and podocin, cause steroid-resistant proteinuria. In addition, mice lacking CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) develop a nephrotic syndrome that resembles NPHS mutations suggesting that all three proteins are essential for the integrity of glomerular podocytes. Although the precise glomerular function of either protein remains unknown, it has been suggested that nephrin forms zipper-like interactions to maintain the structure of podocyte foot processes. We demonstrate now that nephrin is a signaling molecule, which stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinases. Nephrin-induced signaling is greatly enhanced by podocin, which binds to the cytoplasmic tail of nephrin. Mutational analysis suggests that abnormal or inefficient signaling through the nephrin-podocin complex contributes to the development of podocyte dysfunction and proteinuria.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Catecholamines modulate podocyte function.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of adrenoceptor agonists on the intracellular calcium activity ([Ca2+]i), membrane voltage (Vm), and ion conductances (Gm) in differentiated mouse podocytes. [Ca2+]i was measured by the Fura-2 fluorescence method in single podocytes. Noradrenaline and the alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine induced a reversible and concentration-dependent biphasic increase of [Ca2+]i in podocytes (EC50 approximately 0.1 microM for peak and plateau), whereas the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist UK 14.304 did not influence [Ca2+]i. The [Ca2+]i response induced by noradrenaline was completely inhibited by the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (10 nM). In a solution with a high extracellular K+ (72.5 mM), [Ca2+]i was unchanged and the [Ca2+]i increase induced by noradrenaline was not inhibited by the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nicardipine (1 microM). Vm and Gm were examined with the patch-clamp technique in the slow whole-cell configuration. Isoproterenol, phenylephrine, and noradrenaline depolarized podocytes and increased Gm. The order of potency for the adrenoceptor agonists was isoproterenol (EC50 approximately 1 nM) > noradrenaline (EC50 approximately 0.3 microM) > phenylephrine (EC50 approximately 0.5 microM). The beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118.551 (5 to 100 nM) inhibited the effect of isoproterenol on Vm. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase by forskolin mimicked the effect of isoproterenol on Vm and Gm (EC50 approximately 40 nM). Isoproterenol induced a time- and concentration-dependent increase of cAMP in podocytes. The effect of isoproterenol was unchanged in the absence of Na+ or in an extracellular solution with a reduced Ca2+ concentration, whereas it was significantly increased in an extracellular solution with a reduced Cl- concentration (from 145 to 32 mM). The data indicate that adrenoceptor agonists regulate podocyte function: They increase [Ca2+]i via an alpha 1-adrenoceptor and induce a depolarization via a beta 2-adrenoceptor. The depolarization is probably due to an opening of a cAMP-dependent Cl- conductance.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗