Cytoskeletal dynamics play important roles during normal podocyte development, in maintenance of the healthy glomerular filter, and in glomerular pathology. During the past few years, essential progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern podocyte cytoskeletal dynamics, nevertheless this knowledge remains incomplete. Examination of the podocyte cytoskeleton presents unique challenges to the experimentalist who is faced with attempting to model a morphologically complex cell that is situated in a complex microenvironment. This review will summarize recent progress in understanding cytoskeletal dynamics in the podocyte and will review modern imaging techniques relevant to studying this area of podocyte biology.
Copyright 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.