Universität zu Köln

Wiesner, Eva ORCID: 0000-0002-4096-6374, Binz-Lotter, Julia ORCID: 0000-0003-4678-0703, Tröder, Simon E. ORCID: 0000-0003-1156-2976, Unnersjö-Jess, David ORCID: 0000-0002-4162-0973, Rutkowski, Nelli ORCID: 0000-0003-3672-4310, Zevnik, Branko ORCID: 0000-0001-7845-9522, Schermer, Bernhard ORCID: 0000-0002-5194-9000, Benzing, Thomas ORCID: 0000-0003-0512-1066, Wedlich-Söldner, Roland and Hackl, Matthias J. ORCID: 0000-0002-4199-3374 (2025). A red fluorescent lifeact marker to study actin morphology in podocytes. Scientific Reports, 15 (1). pp. 1-13. Springer Nature. ISSN 2045-2322

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Abstract

[Artikel-Nr.: 12386] F-actin is a major component of the cellular cytoskeleton, responsible for maintaining cell shape, enabling movement and facilitating intracellular transport. In the kidney, glomerular podocytes are highly dependent on their actin cytoskeleton shaping their unique foot processes. Hereditary mutations in actin-binding proteins cause focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, while other organs remain largely unaffected. So far, actin visualization in podocytes has been limited to electron microscopy or indirect immunofluorescent labeling of actin-binding proteins. However, the short F-actin-binding peptide Lifeact enables researchers to study actin dynamics in vitro and in vivo with minimal interference with actin metabolism. Here we introduce a new mouse model with conditional expression of a Lifeact.mScarlet-I fusion protein providing red labeling of actin. Cre recombinase-mediated activity allows cell-specific and mosaic expression in podocytes, enabling selective labeling of individual cells to contrast with non-expressing neighboring cells. Transgenic mice are born healthy and young animals display no kidney-related phenotype. By intravital imaging and super-resolution microscopy, we show subcellular localization of actin to the foot processes in a resolution previously only obtainable by electron microscopy. Our novel mouse line provides the opportunity to study the actin cytoskeleton in podocytes and other cell types by intravital imaging and other conventional light microscopy techniques.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Wiesner, Eva UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4096-6374 UNSPECIFIED Binz-Lotter, Julia UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4678-0703 UNSPECIFIED Tröder, Simon E. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1156-2976 UNSPECIFIED Unnersjö-Jess, David UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4162-0973 UNSPECIFIED Rutkowski, Nelli UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3672-4310 UNSPECIFIED Zevnik, Branko UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7845-9522 UNSPECIFIED Schermer, Bernhard UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5194-9000 UNSPECIFIED Benzing, Thomas UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0512-1066 UNSPECIFIED Wedlich-Söldner, Roland UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Hackl, Matthias J. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4199-3374 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-809401
Identification Number:	10.1038/s41598-025-96822-w
Journal or Publication Title:	Scientific Reports
Volume:	15
Number:	1
Page Range:	pp. 1-13
Number of Pages:	13
Date:	11 April 2025
Publisher:	Springer Nature
ISSN:	2045-2322
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine
Divisions:	CECAD - Cluster of Excellence Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases Faculty of Medicine > Innere Medizin > Klinik III für Innere Medizin - Kardiologie, Pneumologie, Angiologie und internistische Intensivmedizin Zentrum für Molekulare Medizin
Subjects:	Medical sciences Medicine
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/80940