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Role of megalin and cubilin in renal physiology and pathophysiology

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Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology

Part of the book series: Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology ((REVIEWS,volume 158))

Abstract

Megalin and cubilin are endocytic receptors highly expressed in the endocytic apparatus of the renal proximal tubule. These receptors appear to be responsible for the tubular clearance of most proteins filtered in the glomeruli. Cubilin is a peripheral membrane protein, and therefore it does not have an endocytosis signaling sequence. It appears that megalin is responsible for internalization of cubilin and its ligands in addition to internalizing its own ligands. The proteinuria observed in megalin-deficient mice, in dogs lacking functional cubilin, and in patients with distinct mutations of the cubilin gene illustrates the importance of the receptors.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the Danish Medical Research Council, the Novo Nordic Foundation, the Danish Biotechnology Program, the Velux Foundation, the University of Aarhus Research Foundation, and the European Commission (EU Framework Program 6, EureGene, contract number 05085). We thank H. Sidelmann and I. Blenker Kristoffersen for excellent technical assistance.

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  1. Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Anatomy, University of Aarhus, University Park, Building 234, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    E. I. Christensen & R. Nielsen

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Correspondence to E. I. Christensen .

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    S.G. Amara

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Christensen, E.I., Nielsen, R. (2006). Role of megalin and cubilin in renal physiology and pathophysiology. In: Amara, S. (eds) Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology. Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, vol 158. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/112_0604

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