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Transmembrane protein 14A protects glomerular filtration barrier integrity
Ramzi Khalil1, Josephine D D Bonnemaijer1, Reinhold Kreutz2
1Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Physiological Reports
|December 6, 2023
Summary
Transmembrane protein 14A (TMEM14A) is crucial for kidney filtration barrier integrity. Reduced TMEM14A expression precedes proteinuria, highlighting its protective role in nephron function and various kidney diseases.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Transmembrane protein 14A (TMEM14A) is an integral membrane protein with largely unknown functions.
- Previous studies suggested a role in suppressing apoptosis, but its involvement in kidney physiology was unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of TMEM14A in maintaining glomerular filtration barrier integrity.
- To determine the expression patterns of TMEM14A in relation to proteinuria and renal disease.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of TMEM14A expression in a spontaneously proteinuric rat model.
- Knockdown of tmem14a mRNA translation in zebrafish embryos.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of TMEM14A in human proteinuric renal diseases.
Main Results:
- TMEM14A expression decreased before proteinuria onset in rats.
- tmem14a knockdown in zebrafish caused proteinuria without affecting tubular reabsorption.
- TMEM14A is primarily expressed in podocytes.
- Increased glomerular TMEM14A expression was observed in various proteinuric kidney diseases.
Conclusions:
- TMEM14A is a novel factor essential for glomerular filtration barrier integrity.
- Dysregulation of TMEM14A contributes to the development of proteinuria.
- TMEM14A plays a protective role in nephron function and kidney disease.
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