NPHS1 adhesion molecule, nephrin
Last updated 5 Jul 2022
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The NPHS1 gene provides instructions for making a protein called nephrin. Nephrin is primarily found in the kidneys, which are organs that filter waste products from the blood and remove them in urine. Specifically, nephrin is found in cells called podocytes, which are located in specialized kidney structures called glomeruli. Nephrin is located at the cell surface in the area between two podocytes called the slit diaphragm. The slit diaphragm is known as a filtration barrier because it captures proteins in blood so that they remain in the body while allowing other molecules like sugars and salts to be excreted in urine. Nephrin proteins on one cell interact with nephrin proteins on adjacent podocytes, forming a zipper-like structure. This structure allows the passage of small molecules through the slit diaphragm while preventing larger molecules like proteins from passing through. Nephrin proteins are essential for forming the slit diaphragm, anchoring the slit diaphragm to podocytes, and filtering blood.
Normal function
The NPHS1 gene provides instructions for making a protein called nephrin. Nephrin is primarily found in the kidneys, which are organs that filter waste products from the blood and remove them in urine. Specifically, nephrin is found in cells called podocytes, which are located in specialized kidney structures called glomeruli. Nephrin is located at the cell surface in the area between two podocytes called the slit diaphragm. The slit diaphragm is known as a filtration barrier because it captures proteins in blood so that they remain in the body while allowing other molecules like sugars and salts to be excreted in urine. Nephrin proteins on one cell interact with nephrin proteins on adjacent podocytes, forming a zipper-like structure. This structure allows the passage of small molecules through the slit diaphragm while preventing larger molecules like proteins from passing through. Nephrin proteins are essential for forming the slit diaphragm, anchoring the slit diaphragm to podocytes, and filtering blood.
Nephrin is also involved in cell signaling. It relays signals from outside the cell to inside the cell. Additionally, nephrin proteins on the surface of adjacent cells send and receive signals, allowing podocytes to communicate with one another.
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
CNF
nephrin
nephrin precursor
nephrosis 1, congenital, Finnish type (nephrin)
NPHN
NPHS1 nephrin
renal glomerulus-specific cell adhesion receptor
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Further reading and references
- NPHS1 adhesion molecule, nephrin; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Fogo AB, Lusco MA, Najafian B, Alpers CE. AJKD Atlas of Renal Pathology: Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome of Finnish Type. Am J Kidney Dis. 2015 Sep;66(3):e11-2. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2015.07.008. No abstract available.
- Grahammer F, Schell C, Huber TB. The podocyte slit diaphragm--from a thin grey line to a complex signalling hub. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2013 Oct;9(10):587-98. doi: 10.1038/nrneph.2013.169. Epub 2013 Sep 3.
- Ovunc B, Ashraf S, Vega-Warner V, Bockenhauer D, Elshakhs NA, Joseph M, Hildebrandt F; Gesellschaft fur Padiatrische Nephrologie (GPN) Study Group. Mutation analysis of NPHS1 in a worldwide cohort of congenital nephrotic syndrome patients. Nephron Clin Pract. 2012;120(3):c139-46. doi: 10.1159/000337379. Epub 2012 May 11.
- Schoeb DS, Chernin G, Heeringa SF, Matejas V, Held S, Vega-Warner V, Bockenhauer D, Vlangos CN, Moorani KN, Neuhaus TJ, Kari JA, MacDonald J, Saisawat P, Ashraf S, Ovunc B, Zenker M, Hildebrandt F; Gesselschaft fur Paediatrische Nephrologie (GPN) Study Group. Nineteen novel NPHS1 mutations in a worldwide cohort of patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS). Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2010 Sep;25(9):2970-6. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfq088. Epub 2010 Feb 18.
- Wang JJ, Mao JH. The etiology of congenital nephrotic syndrome: current status and challenges. World J Pediatr. 2016 May;12(2):149-58. doi: 10.1007/s12519-016-0009-y. Epub 2016 Mar 9.
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