Here are three rudimentary podocyte-related facts to consider. First, the podocyte plays an
essential role in determining the functional properties of the glomerular filtration barrier.
Second, the cytoskeleton of the podocyte is critical to this cell's ability to form foot processes
and slit diaphragm junctions that ultimately determine glomerular permselectivity. Third,
members of the Rho guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) family of intracellular signaling
molecules are master regulators of actin cytoskeletal dynamics. Therefore, given these three …