Figure 7.

Activation of RhoA causes loss of processes and cell contraction in cultured mouse podocytes. Mouse podocytes, either undifferentiated or differentiated for 10 days, were transfected with pEGFP, GFP-CA-RhoA, or GFP-Dominant Negative (DN)-RhoA. After 24 hours, cells were permeabilized and stained for phalloidin. (A and B) Immunofluorescence for GFP and phalloidin are shown for undifferentiated cells (A) and differentiated cells (B). Magnification, ×600. Cells transfected with CA-RhoA showed significant cell contraction. (C and D) Cell size was quantified as in the Concise Methods section. (C) Undifferentiated cells. n = 30. (D) Differentiated cells, n = 20, **P < 0.001 versus GFP.