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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
09:12
Isolation of Glomeruli and In Vivo Labeling of Glomerular Cell Surface Proteins
Published on: January 18, 2019
Amino acid transporter LAT3 is required for podocyte development and function.
Yuji Sekine1, Yukino Nishibori, Yoshihiro Akimoto
1Kyorin University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan.
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN
|May 16, 2009
Summary
The neutral amino acid transporter LAT3 is found in kidney glomeruli, specifically in podocytes. Its absence disrupts kidney development and function, highlighting LAT3
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The neutral amino acid transporter LAT3 (L-type amino acid transporter 3) is known to be expressed in liver, skeletal muscle, and pancreas.
- Its specific tissue distribution and physiological roles, particularly in the kidney, remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and function of LAT3 in the kidney glomerulus.
- To elucidate the role of LAT3 in podocyte structure, function, and renal development.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, and immunoelectron microscopy were used to determine LAT3 localization in mouse glomeruli.
- Studies in starved mice examined changes in glomerular LAT3 expression and podocyte morphology.
- LAT3 function was assessed in zebrafish morphants lacking lat3, including glomerular structure and filtration barrier permeability analysis.
Main Results:
- LAT3 was identified in the apical plasma membrane of podocyte foot processes in the glomeruli.
- Starvation upregulated glomerular LAT3, promoted actin network reconstitution, and elongated podocyte foot processes in mice.
- Zebrafish lacking lat3 function exhibited collapsed glomeruli, thickened basement membranes, and impaired selective glomerular permeability.
Conclusions:
- LAT3 is a key component of the glomerular filtration barrier, localized to podocyte foot processes.
- LAT3 plays a critical role in maintaining podocyte structure and glomerular function.
- LAT3 is essential for normal renal development and the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier.
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