Wtip- and Gadd45a-Interacting Protein Dendrin Is Not Crucial for the Development or Maintenance of the Glomerular Filtration Barrier

Glomerular podocyte cells are critical for the function of the renal ultrafiltration barrier. Especially, the highly specialized cell cell junction of podocytes, the slit diaphragm, has a central role in the filtration barrier. This is highlighted by the fact that mutations in molecular components of the slit diaphragm, inclucling nephrin and Cd2-associated protein (Cd2ap), result in proteinuric diseases in man. Dendrin is a poorly characterized cytosalic component of the slit diaphragm in where it interact h nephrin and Cd2ap. Dendrin is highly specific for the podocyte slit diaphragm, suggesting that it has a dedicated role in glomerular filtration barrier. In this study, we have generated a dendrin knockout mouse line and explored the molecular interactions of dendrin. Dendrin-deficient mice were viable, fertile, and had a normal life span. Morphologically, the glomerulogenesis proceeded normally and adult dendrin-deficient mice showed normal glomerular histology. No significant protainuria was observed. Fallowing glomerular injury, lack of dendrin did not affect the severity of the damage or h recovery process. Yeast two-hybrid screen and co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that dendrin binds to interacting protein (Wtip) and growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible 45 alpha (Gadd45a). Wtip and Gadd45a mediate gene transcription in the nucleus, suggesting that dendrin may have similar functions in podacytes In line with this, we observed he relocation of dendrin to nucleus in adriamycin nephropathy model. Our results indicate that dendrin is dispensable forth unction of the normal glomerular filtration barrier and that dendrin interacts with Wtip and Gadd45a.