Mechanisms of the proteinuria induced by Rho GTPases.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Podocytes are highly differentiated cells that play an important role in maintaining glomerular filtration barrier integrity; a function regulated by small GTPase proteins of the Rho family. To investigate the role of Rho A in podocyte biology, we created transgenic mice expressing doxycycline-inducible constitutively active (V14 Rho) or dominant-negative Rho A (N19 Rho) in podocytes. Specific induction of either Rho A construct in podocytes caused albuminuria and foot process effacement along with disruption of the actin cytoskeleton as evidenced by decreased expression of the actin-associated protein synaptopodin. The mechanisms of these adverse effects, however, appeared to be different. Active V14 Rho enhanced actin polymerization, caused a reduction in nephrin mRNA and protein levels, promoted podocyte apoptosis, and decreased endogenous Rho A levels. In contrast, the dominant-negative N19 Rho caused a loss of podocyte stress fibers, did not alter the expression of either nephrin or Rho A, and did not cause podocyte apoptosis. Thus, our findings suggest that Rho A plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier under basal conditions, but enhancement of Rho A activity above basal levels promotes podocyte injury.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Wang, L; Ellis, MJ; Gomez, JA; Eisner, W; Fennell, W; Howell, DN; Ruiz, P; Fields, TA; Spurney, RF
Published Date
- June 2012
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 81 / 11
Start / End Page
- 1075 - 1085
PubMed ID
- 22278020
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC3352980
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1523-1755
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1038/ki.2011.472
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States