|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
J. Cell Biol.,
Volume 143, Number 7, December 28, 1998 1961-1970
* Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Podocytes are unique cells that are decisively
involved in glomerular filtration. They are equipped
with a complex process system consisting of major processes and foot processes whose function is insufficiently understood (Mundel, P., and W. Kriz. 1995. Anat. Embryol. 192:385-397). The major processes of
podocytes contain a microtubular cytoskeleton. Taking
advantage of a recently established cell culture system
for podocytes with preserved ability to form processes
(Mundel, P., J. Reiser, A. Zúñiga Mejía Borja, H. Pavenstädt, G.R. Davidson, W. Kriz, and R. Zeller.
1997b. Exp. Cell Res. 36:248-258), we studied the functional significance of the microtubular system in major
processes. The following data were obtained: (a) Microtubules (MTs) in podocytes show a nonuniform polarity as revealed by hook-decoration. (b) CHO1/
MKLP1, a kinesin-like motor protein, is associated with
MTs in podocytes. (c) Treatment of differentiating
podocytes with CHO1/MKLP1 antisense oligonucleotides abolished the formation of processes and the
nonuniform polarity of MTs. (d) During the recovery
from taxol treatment, taxol-stabilized (nocodazole-
resistant) MT fragments were distributed in the cell periphery along newly assembled nocodazole-sensitive
MTs. A similar distribution pattern of CHO1/MKLP1
was found under these circumstances, indicating its
association with MTs. (e) In the recovery phase after
complete depolymerization, MTs reassembled exclusively at centrosomes. Taken together, these findings
lead to the conclusion that the nonuniform MT polarity
in podocytes established by CHO1/MKLP1 is necessary
for process formation.
Department of Cell
Biology and Neuroanatomy, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 05545; and § Department of
Medicine and Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
CiteULike 
Complore 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Reddit 
Technorati What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
