From structure to disease: the evolving tale of aquaporin biology.
Our understanding of the movement of water through cell membranes has been greatly advanced by the discovery of a family of water-specific, membrane-channel proteins - the aquaporins. These proteins are present in organisms at all levels of life, and their unique permeability characteristics and distribution in numerous tissues indicate diverse roles in the regulation of water homeostasis. The recognition of aquaporins has stimulated a reconsideration of membrane water permeability by investigators across a wide range of disciplines.
King
Landon S
LS
Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5501 Hopkins Bayview Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA. lsking@jhmi.edu
Kozono
David
D
Agre
Peter
P
D000818:Animals; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D005123:Eye / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D010539:Permeability; D010802:Phylogeny; D011487:Protein Conformation; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
D020346:Aquaporins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D014867:Water