Defending podocyte integrity against mechanical strain: Unveiling mechanosensitive multiprotein complex signaling at the slit diaphragm (A01)

• Subject Area: Nephrology ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 543604419

This project investigates how signaling at the slit diaphragm (SD) enables podocytes to withstand mechanical forces while maintaining glomerular filtration. We hypothesize that a mechanosensory protein complex, formed by multimerized podocin and TRPC6 channels, regulates foot process (FP) orientation, and transcriptional responses to mechanical signals. Specifically, we will characterize the SD mechanosensory protein complex, study its role in FP orientation under mechanical strain, including regulation by post-translational modifications, and examine the interplay between morphological changes and transcriptional mechanisms.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 422: PodoSigN – Podocyte Signaling Networks - From Basic Concepts to Disease Understanding
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Thomas Benzing; Professorin Dr. Katarzyna Bozek; Dr. Linus Butt