PIK3C3/VPS34, the class III PtdIns 3-kinase, plays indispensable roles in the podocyte

The mammalian homolog of yeast Vps34 (PIK3C3/VPS34) is implicated in the regulation of autophagy, and recent studies have suggested that autophagy is a key mechanism in maintaining the integrity of renal glomerular podocytes. To date, however, the role of PIK3C3 in podocytes has remained unknown. We generated a line of podocyte-specific Pik3c3-knockout (Pik3c3pdKO/mVps34pdKO) mice and demonstrated an indispensable role for PIK3C3 in the regulation of intracellular vesicle trafficking and processing to protect the normal cellular metabolism, structure and function of podocytes.