Nephrin Like Protein 1 (NEPH1)

NEPH1 is a member of the nephrin-like protein family, which includes NEPH2 and NEPH3. The cytoplasmic domains of these proteins interact with the C terminus of podocin (NPHS2), and the genes are expressed in kidney podocytes, cells involved in ensuring size- and charge-selective ultrafiltration.protein contains 5 immunoglobulin (Ig) domains, one of which is similar to the PKD domain; the integrin-recognition motif RGD; a putative signal sequence at the N terminus; and a transmembrane region. Although it shows only 18% and 25.6% overall sequence identity with nephrin and Drosophila 'irregular chiasm,' all 3 of these proteins are structurally related by conservation of their Ig domains. Northern blot analysis of human and mouse tissues detected wide expression of a single 9-kb transcript, with highest expression in kidney.