Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Synaptic Signaling01:12

Synaptic Signaling

79.3K
Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
79.3K
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

6.6K
Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
6.6K
Glomerular Filtration01:15

Glomerular Filtration

5.1K
The filtration membrane in the renal system is a highly specialized structure essential for filtering blood. It consists of glomerular capillaries and podocytes, forming a selective barrier that permits the passage of water and small solutes while restricting most plasma proteins and blood cells.
Components of the Filtration Membrane
The filtration process involves three key layers: the glomerular endothelial cells, the basement membrane, and the podocyte-formed filtration slits.
5.1K
Glomerular Filtration: Net Filtration Pressure01:26

Glomerular Filtration: Net Filtration Pressure

7.9K
Glomerular filtration, a key process in the kidneys, is regulated by three main pressures: Glomerular blood hydrostatic pressure (GBHP), Capsular hydrostatic pressure (CHP), and Blood colloid osmotic pressure (BCOP).
GBHP, with an average value of 55 mmHg, promotes filtration by pushing water and solutes through the filtration membrane. This is balanced by two opposing forces: CHP, a "back pressure" exerted against the filtration membrane by fluid already in the capsular space and renal...
7.9K
Glomerular Filtration Rate and its Regulation01:28

Glomerular Filtration Rate and its Regulation

5.3K
The Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is a measure of kidney function, reflecting the volume of filtrate formed per minute in the kidneys. On average, GFR is approximately 125 mL/min in males and 105 mL/min in females. Maintaining a relatively constant GFR is essential for the kidneys to effectively regulate body fluid homeostasis and maintain extracellular stability.
GFR regulation involves two primary intrinsic controls: the myogenic and tubuloglomerular feedback mechanisms.
The myogenic...
5.3K
Renal Drug Excretion: Glomerular Filtration01:02

Renal Drug Excretion: Glomerular Filtration

1.2K
The kidney serves as the primary organ responsible for eliminating drugs and their metabolites from the body. This process, known as renal elimination, starts with glomerular filtration and results in urine formation. Each kidney houses millions of functional units called nephrons, where urine production occurs. A nephron has two main components: a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule.
Drugs gain access to the kidney via the renal artery, which progressively branches off into afferent arterioles....
1.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Nationwide Real-World Retrospective Study of Oral Semaglutide Use in Adults Living With Type 2 Diabetes in Finland.

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism·2026
Same author

Single-port versus multiport robotic colectomy for colonic neoplasia: short-term outcomes and learning-curve analysis.

Surgical endoscopy·2026
Same author

Correction: Decoding distinctive features of plasma extracellular vesicles in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Molecular neurodegeneration·2026
Same author

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the right inferior frontal gyrus enhances inhibitory control, with modulation by individual differences in metacognition and delay discounting.

Cortex; a journal devoted to the study of the nervous system and behavior·2026
Same author

Selected miRNAs in Urinary Extracellular Vesicles Show Promise for Early and Specific Diagnostics of Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Journal of extracellular biology·2025
Same author

Minimum effective low dose of antithymocyte globulin in people aged 5-25 years with recent-onset stage 3 type 1 diabetes (MELD-ATG): a phase 2, multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, adaptive dose-ranging trial.

Lancet (London, England)·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 26, 2026

An Optical Assay for Synaptic Vesicle Recycling in Cultured Neurons Overexpressing Presynaptic Proteins
09:33

An Optical Assay for Synaptic Vesicle Recycling in Cultured Neurons Overexpressing Presynaptic Proteins

Published on: June 26, 2018

7.9K

Glomerular podocytes contain neuron-like functional synaptic vesicles.

Maria Pia Rastaldi1, Silvia Armelloni, Silvia Berra

  • 1Renal Immunopathology Laboratory, Associazione Nuova Nefrologia and Fondazione D'Amico per la Ricerca sulle Malattie Renali, c/o San Carlo Borromeo Hospital, via Pio II, 3, Milan 20153, Italy. mp.rastaldi@fastwebnet.it

FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
|April 6, 2006
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Podocytes, crucial kidney filter cells, communicate using a novel synaptic-like mechanism. They release glutamate via vesicles, suggesting a new understanding of kidney signaling and function.

More Related Videos

Measuring Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons
07:30

Measuring Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

Published on: September 4, 2017

10.4K
Studying Synaptic Vesicle Pools using Photoconversion of Styryl Dyes
08:46

Studying Synaptic Vesicle Pools using Photoconversion of Styryl Dyes

Published on: February 15, 2010

12.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 26, 2026

An Optical Assay for Synaptic Vesicle Recycling in Cultured Neurons Overexpressing Presynaptic Proteins
09:33

An Optical Assay for Synaptic Vesicle Recycling in Cultured Neurons Overexpressing Presynaptic Proteins

Published on: June 26, 2018

7.9K
Measuring Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons
07:30

Measuring Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

Published on: September 4, 2017

10.4K
Studying Synaptic Vesicle Pools using Photoconversion of Styryl Dyes
08:46

Studying Synaptic Vesicle Pools using Photoconversion of Styryl Dyes

Published on: February 15, 2010

12.2K

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Chronic renal failure is a growing global health concern.
  • Podocytes are key cells in the glomerular filtration barrier, determining its selectivity.
  • Podocytes express Rab3A, a GTPase typically found in cells with regulated exocytosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and function of synapse-specific molecules in podocytes.
  • To explore a potential synaptic-like communication mechanism in kidney glomeruli.
  • To elucidate novel signaling pathways in glomerular cells.

Main Methods:

  • Proteomic analysis to identify co-immunoprecipitating proteins with Rab3A.
  • Microscopy to visualize podocyte structures resembling synaptic vesicles.
  • Analysis of glutamate, Rab3A, and synaptotagmin 1 co-expression.
  • Assessment of spontaneous and stimulated exocytosis and recycling.
  • cDNA microarray to identify neuron- and synapse-specific molecules in glomeruli.
  • Confirmation of glutamate receptor expression.

Main Results:

  • Rab3A in podocytes co-immunoprecipitates with synapse-specific molecules.
  • Podocytes contain structures similar to synaptic vesicles, containing glutamate.
  • These vesicles co-express Rab3A and synaptotagmin 1, and exhibit exocytosis and glutamate release.
  • Neuron- and synapse-specific molecules, including glutamate receptors, are present in human glomeruli.

Conclusions:

  • Podocytes utilize a synaptic-like mechanism for intercellular communication.
  • This mechanism involves regulated exocytosis of glutamate from vesicle-like structures.
  • The findings suggest a novel paradigm for understanding glomerular signaling dynamics and kidney function.