mortality/aging
• homozygous mutant pups die within 48 hours after birth; no homozygotes survive to weaning age
• however, gross appearance as well as body and organ weights remain normal
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homeostasis/metabolism
• neonates exhibit a 4-fold increase in plasma creatinine levels relative to wild-type controls
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renal/urinary system
• neonates exhibit abnormal morphology of podocyte foot processes; the distance between foot processes is dramatically reduced
• foot processes are shortened, and the interdigitating network appears disorganized
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• fusion of the podocyte foot processes results in loss of normal slit diaphragm structure
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• no clear slit diaphragms are observed, due to fusion and/or adhesion of the foot processes
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• neonates display a lack of urine in the bladder, indicating severe impairment of renal function
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