Figure 3.

Molecular components of the podocyte cell–matirx interface. Podocytes adhere to the underlying GBM using transmembrane adhesion receptors. The laminin-binding integrin α3β1 and the associated tetraspannin CD151 are highly expressed on the podocyte cell surface, in addition to adhesion receptors for other ECM ligands. Adhesion complexes form when activated integrins recruit adaptor, scaffold, and signaling proteins to their cytoplasmic tails. Integrins link to the actin cytoskeleton via two major axes; talin, vinculin, paxillin and integrin-linked kinase (ILK), PINCH, parvin. Podocytes attach to an ECM network containing laminin-521 networks, collagen IV α3α4α5 networks, agrin, perlecan, and nidogen.