PODXL

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PODXL, or podocalyxin-like protein 1, is a human protein produced from the PODXL gene. It belongs to the CD34 family of sialomucins and is best known for its role in the kidney.

In the kidney, podocalyxin helps keep the tiny filtering cells called podocytes healthy. These cells have little foot processes that cover the glomerular surface, helping form the filtration barrier. If PODXL is missing or not working in mice, it can cause severe problems like kidney failure and death around birth.

In humans, PODXL is mainly found on podocytes and blood vessel lining cells, and it is also present in some glandular tissues. The protein sits on the cell surface and connects to the internal support framework of the cell, influencing how cells stick to each other and move.

PODXL can be modified after it’s made, allowing it to carry specific markers used in research and diagnosis. It is also involved in processes like the formation of microvilli and other cell structures.

In cancer, PODXL levels are often higher, and increased PODXL is linked to poorer outcomes in several cancers, including kidney cancer.