Aquaporins: a promising target for drug development.
Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of small hydrophobic, integral membrane proteins that are expressed in all living organisms and play critical roles in controlling the water flow into and out of cells. So far, 13 different AQPs have been identified in mammals (AQP 0-12). AQPs have recently been implicated in various diseases such as cancer, cataract, brain oedema, gallstone disease and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, as well as in the development of obesity and polycystic kidney disease. Interfering with the expression of AQPs will undoubtedly have therapeutic applications. Hence, in this review, the authors look at each AQP and its association with various pathological conditions in humans and demonstrate that they form potential targets for the treatment of such diseases.
Jeyaseelan
Kandiah
K
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Department of Biochemistry, 8 Medical Drive, 117597, Singapore. bchjeya@nus.edu.sg
Sepramaniam
Sugunavathi
S
Armugam
Arunmozhiarasi
A
Wintour
E Marelyn
EM
D000818:Animals; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015195:Drug Design; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans
D020346:Aquaporins