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

Nephin-Neph1受体复合体是足细胞裂隙-横隔膜的组成部分。它在这个细胞间连接处参与由外向内的信号转导，从而调节足细胞肌动蛋白的动态。初步研究表明，肌动蛋白细丝切断蛋白cofilin-1在培养的足细胞中有表达。它与Nephin相互作用，并在Nephin受体复合体激活后被去磷酸化。因此，Cofilin-1在依赖于Nephin-Neph1复合体的细胞骨架重塑中可能是必需的。本研究的目的是研究cofilin-1在肾小球蛋白-Neph1受体复合体介导的足细胞肌动蛋白动力学调节中的作用，以及它在体内建立和维持足细胞足突形态中的作用。

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.