PODXL
This gene encodes a member of the sialomucin protein family. The encoded protein was originally identified as an important component of glomerular podocytes. Podocytes are highly differentiated epithelial cells with interdigitating foot processes covering the outer aspect of the glomerular basement membrane. Other biological activities of the encoded protein include: binding in a membrane protein complex with Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor to intracellular cytoskeletal elements, playing a role in hematopoetic cell differentiation, and being expressed in vascular endothelium cells and binding to L-selectin.
Full Name
podocalyxin like
Function
Involved in the regulation of both adhesion and cell morphology and cancer progression. Functions as an anti-adhesive molecule that maintains an open filtration pathway between neighboring foot processes in the podocyte by charge repulsion. Acts as a pro-adhesive molecule, enhancing the adherence of cells to immobilized ligands, increasing the rate of migration and cell-cell contacts in an integrin-dependent manner. Induces the formation of apical actin-dependent microvilli. Involved in the formation of a preapical plasma membrane subdomain to set up initial epithelial polarization and the apical lumen formation during renal tubulogenesis. Plays a role in cancer development and aggressiveness by inducing cell migration and invasion through its interaction with the actin-binding protein EZR. Affects EZR-dependent signaling events, leading to increased activities of the MAPK and PI3K pathways in cancer cells.
Biological Process
Cell adhesionIEA:UniProtKB-KW
Cell migrationISS:UniProtKB
Epithelial tube formationISS:UniProtKB
Negative regulation of cell adhesionISS:UniProtKB
Negative regulation of cell-cell adhesionISS:UniProtKB
Podocyte developmentISS:UniProtKB
Positive regulation of cell migrationManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:UniProtKB
Positive regulation of cell-cell adhesion mediated by integrinManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:UniProtKB
Regulation of microvillus assemblyISS:UniProtKB
Cellular Location
Apical cell membrane
Cell projection, lamellipodium
Cell projection, filopodium
Cell projection, ruffle
Cell projection, microvillus
Membrane raft
Membrane
In single attached epithelial cells is restricted to a preapical pole on the free plasma membrane whereas other apical and basolateral proteins are not yet polarized. Colocalizes with SLC9A3R2 at the apical plasma membrane during epithelial polarization. Colocalizes with SLC9A3R1 at the trans-Golgi network (transiently) and at the apical plasma membrane. Its association with the membrane raft is transient. Colocalizes with actin filaments, EZR and SLC9A3R1 in a punctate pattern at the apical cell surface where microvilli form. Colocalizes with EZR and SLC9A3R2 at the apical cell membrane of glomerular epithelium cells (By similarity).
Forms granular, punctuated pattern, forming patches, preferentially adopting a polar distribution, located on the migrating poles of the cell or forming clusters along the terminal ends of filipodia establishing contact with the endothelial cells. Colocalizes with the submembrane actin of lamellipodia, particularly associated with ruffles. Colocalizes with vinculin at protrusions of cells. Colocalizes with ITGB1. Colocalizes with PARD3, PRKCI, EXOC5, OCLN, RAB11A and RAB8A in apical membrane initiation sites (AMIS) during the generation of apical surface and luminogenesis (By similarity).
Topology
Extracellular: 23-461
Helical: 462-482
Cytoplasmic: 483-558
PTM
N- and O-linked glycosylated. Sialoglycoprotein (By similarity).