Synaptopodin is an actin-associated protein that may play a role in actin-based cell shape and motility. The name synaptopodin derives from the protein's associations with postsynaptic densities and dendritic spines and with renal podocytes (Mundel et al., 1997 [PubMed 9314539]).[supplied by OMIM, Mar 2008] see less Synaptopodin is an actin-associated protein that may play a role in actin-based cell shape and motility. The name synaptopodin derives from the protein's associations with postsynaptic densities and dendritic spines and with renal podocytes (Mundel et al., 1997 [PubMed 9314539]).[supplied by OMIM, Mar 2008]