The role of NEPH-NEPHRIN proteins as regulators of neuron and kidney morphogenesis (A02)

足细胞的狭缝隔膜主要由细胞-细胞粘附模块neff - nephrin构成，是血液过滤的先决条件。细胞-细胞粘附模块neff - nephrin在进化过程中被保守，neff - nephrin蛋白家族成员参与突触发育和突触靶标识别。本研究的目的是鉴定和表征neff - nephrin粘附模块与细胞内信号通路和肌动蛋白细胞骨架的分子过程。秀丽隐杆线虫作为一个模型系统提供了一个独特的机会来直接研究蛋白质在体内的功能和解码信号级联。

The slit diaphragm of the podocytes is mainly constituted by the cell-cell adhesion module NEPH-NEPHRIN and a prerequisite for blood filtering. The cell-cell adhesion module NEPH-NEPHRIN was conserved during evolution and members of the NEPH-NEPHRIN protein family are involved in the synapse development and the synaptic target recognition. Aim of this study is the identification and characterization of molecular processes interlinking the NEPH-NEPHRIN adhesion module with intracellular signaling pathways and the actin cytoskeleton. C. elegans as a model system provides a unique opportunity to investigate protein functions directly in vivo and to decode signaling cascades.