Podocytes also expressed the Mertk gene, encoding a receptor kinase, which is of Gefitinib cost interest in terms of the possible clearing role of podocytes, since this gene has been shown to be important in the phagocytic function of some cell types . Podocytes also expressed Colec12a scavenger receptor that has been shown to be important in the mediation of zymosan phagocytosis by vascular endothelial cells . It has also been implicated in the clearance of amyloid beta in Alzheimers disease . Other signaling molecules of particular interest expressed by podocytes included Spred2, which is a sprouty related inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases, and Gmfb, glial maturation factor, beta, which causes differentiation of brain cells, and inhibits proliferation . Several genes related to calcium-regulated events showed elevated expression in podocytes, including Anxa5 and Anxa1, calcium dependent phospholipid binding proteins implicated in exocytic and endocytic pathways. S100a10, is also calcium binding and also implicated in endocytosis and exocytosis. Fyn encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that helps regulate intracellular calcium levels, and plays an important role in the brain in regulating axon growth, axon guidance and neurite extension. Of particular note, podocytes also expressed Vegf, Ctgf, Egf and Npnt . Angptl2 is a member of the VEGF family, and also showed very strong expression in the adult podocyte. Podocytes also expressed Efnb1 , a membrane bound ligand for Ephrin related receptor tyrosine kinases, which has been implicated in the orientation of axons. In summary, the receptor and receptor binding gene expression signature of podocytes provide an interesting picture, showing roles for calcium signaling, phagocytic/clearing function, and overall a striking neuron like character for these cells. Transcription factors generally play key roles in defining the identities of cells.