TRPC6 and kidney diseases

Transient receptor potential cation channel 6(TRPC6) is a nonselective cation channel,located in the podocyte cell membrane and contains six membrane-spanning domains.TRPC6 is associated with slit diaphragm proteins-nephrin and podocin,the three proteins composing the slit diaphragm complex.Mutant TRPC6 may affect the function of this complex,leading to abnormalities in podocyte foot processes.Research suggested that mutant TRPC6 closely correlated with the mechanism of hereditary and non-hereditary nephropathies,possibly by altering podocyte dynamics and decreasing podocyte number.Blocking TRPC6 channels might be of therapeutic effect in treating kidney disease with proteinuria,and it may translate into long-lasting clinical benefits in patients with nephropathy.