Nephrin monoclonal antibody

Nephrin is a member of the immunoglobulin family of cell adhesion molecules that localizes to opposing sites of the secondary foot processes formed by podocytes, a specialized epithelial cell that ensures size- and charge-selective ultrafiltration. The human nephrin gene maps to chromosome 19q13.12 and encodes a 1,241 amino acid protein that contains a transmembrane domain, eight Ig-like modules, and one fibronectin III-like module. Nephrin is expressed in embryonic and adult kidneys and localizes to glomerular podocytes and the glomerular slit diaphragm. Nephrin stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinases and is enhanced by podocin, which binds to the cytoplasmic tail of nephrin. A293 cells treated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate can upregulate nephrin, suggesting that protein kinase C is part of an intracellular signalling system, which regulates nephrin.