Anti-NPHS1

This gene encodes a member of the immunoglobulin family of cell adhesion molecules that functions in the glomerular filtration barrier in the kidney. The gene is primarily expressed in renal tissues, and the protein is a type-1 transmembrane protein found at the slit diaphragm of glomerular podocytes. The slit diaphragm is thought to function as an ultrafilter to exclude albumin and other plasma macromolecules in the formation of urine. Mutations in this gene result in Finnish-type congenital nephrosis 1, characterized by severe proteinuria and loss of the slit diaphragm and foot processes.In Western blots, nephrin antibodies generated against the two terminal extracellular Ig domains of recombinant human nephrin recognized a 180-kDa protein in lysates of human glomeruli and a 150-kDa protein in transfected COS-7 cell lysates. Protein function: Seems to play a role in the development or function of the kidney glomerular filtration barrier. Regulates glomerular vascular permeability. May anchor the podocyte slit diaphragm to the actin cytoskeleton. Plays a role in skeletal muscle formation through regulation of myoblast fusion. [The UniProt Consortium]