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

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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.