The role of Cofilin-1 in regulating podocyte actin dynamics and maintaining foot process morphology

• Antragstellerin: Professorin Dr. Britta George
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Nephrologie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2009 bis 2011
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 133611148

The Nephrin-Neph1 receptor complex is an integral part of the podocyte slit-diaphragm. It takes part in outside-in signal transduction at this intercellular junction and thereby regulates podocyte actin dynamics. Preliminary data showed that the actin filament severing protein Cofilin-1 is expressed in cultured podocytes. It interacts with Nephrin and is dephosphorylated after activation of the Nephrin receptor complex. Thus, Cofilin-1 could be necessary in Nephrin-Neph1 complex-dependent cytoskeletal remodeling. The aim of the project proposed herein is to investigate the role of Cofilin-1 in Nephrin-Neph1 receptor complex mediated regulation of podocyte actin dynamics and its role in establishing and maintaining podocyte foot process morphology in vivo.

• DFG-Verfahren: Forschungsstipendien
• Internationaler Bezug: USA
• Gastgeber: Dr. Lawrence B. Holzman