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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
12:19
Single-channel Analysis and Calcium Imaging in the Podocytes of the Freshly Isolated Glomeruli
Published on: June 27, 2015
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Regulation and Function of TMEM16F in Renal Podocytes
Laura K Schenk1, Jiraporn Ousingsawat2, Boris V Skryabin3
1Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Rheumatology, University Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany. laura-katharina.schenk@charite.de.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 19, 2018
Summary
The calcium (Ca2+)-activated TMEM16F protein does not significantly impact podocyte function or overall kidney health, despite its presence in kidney cells. Research found no link between TMEM16F and proteinuria or essential kidney functions.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
- Ion Channel Physiology
Background:
- The calcium (Ca2+)-activated phospholipid scramblase and ion channel TMEM16F is expressed in podocytes, crucial cells in the glomerular filter.
- Podocyte dysfunction is implicated in various kidney diseases leading to proteinuria.
- Intracellular Ca2+ signaling regulates podocyte function, making TMEM16F's role in these cells important to investigate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of TMEM16F in podocytes and its potential involvement in kidney function and disease.
- To determine if TMEM16F regulates Ca2+ signaling and ion currents in podocytes.
Main Methods:
- Generated an inducible TMEM16F knockdown in the AB8 podocyte cell line.
- Created a conditional mouse model with TMEM16F knockout in podocytes and renal epithelial cells.
- Utilized TUNEL assays to analyze cell death in kidney cells.
Main Results:
- TMEM16F knockdown did not cause proteinuria or apparent phenotypic changes in mice.
- TMEM16F knockdown affected tubular epithelial cell death but not glomerular podocyte death.
- TMEM16F did not control intracellular Ca2+ signaling or Ca2+-activated currents in podocytes, contrary to findings in other cell types.
- Renal TMEM16F knockout did not impair renal morphology or serum electrolytes.
Conclusions:
- TMEM16F has minimal impact on the basal properties of podocytes.
- TMEM16F is not essential for normal kidney function.
- TMEM16F's role in podocytes differs significantly from its established functions in other cell types like platelets, bone, and immune cells.
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