Beyond water channel: aquaporin-4 in adult neurogenesis.
Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a key molecule for maintaining water and ion homeostasis associated with neuronal activity in the central nervous system, but the roles of AQP4 in adult neurogenesis remain largely unexplored. Based on preliminary evidences over the past years, AQP4 appears to emerge as an important player regulating the multiple steps of adult neurogenesis. In this mini-review, we discuss the recent findings that reveal a specific functional role of AQP4 in regulating the adult neurogenesis, including proliferation of neural progenitors/neural stem cells, fate specification and differentiation, neuronal migration, and the potential mechanisms. Further studies on the regulation of AQP4 in promoting neurogenesis will lead to better understanding of the signaling mechanisms of adult neurogenesis and potentially provide an opportunity to develop AQP4 as new drug target for neurogenesis.
Zheng
Guo-qing
GQ
Center of Neurology and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, 109 Xueyuan West Road, Wenzhou 325027, China. gq_zheng@sohu.com <gq_zheng@sohu.com>
Li
Yue
Y
Gu
Yong
Y
Chen
Xing-miao
XM
Zhou
Yun
Y
Zhao
Shu-zhi
SZ
Shen
Jiangang
J
D000818:Animals; D051401:Aquaporin 4 / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D009420:Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology
D051401:Aquaporin 4