Signaling through protein‐protein interactions in kidney development and disease

Diseases of the glomerular filter of the kidney are a leading cause of end‐stage renal failure. Recent studies have emphasized the critical role of the slit diaphragm of podocytes for the function of the size‐selective filtration barrier of the kidney and revealed novel aspects of the mechanisms leading to renal disease. Several critical components of the slit diaphragm protein complex have been identified. We have shown that slit diaphragm proteins activate signal transduction in podocytes. These signaling pathways are interconnected in a network of multifunctional, redundant and non‐redundant molecules to subsequently impact the function of the glomerular filter. This talk will focus on what is known about signaling at the slit diaphragm. It will provide a snapshot of our current understanding of the signaling properties of slit diaphragm protein interactions and project a framework for further studies necessary to delineate the function and dynamics of the slit diaphragm protein complex, signaling in kidney development and the pathogenesis of renal disease.