title: [Aquaporins--water channels in the cell membrane and therapeutic targets].
abstract: Aquaporins are membrane proteins that facilitate the rapid movement of water and other small solutes across biological membranes. They have been found in all kingdoms of life. In humans thirteen aquaporin isoforms exist with specific tissue and cell distribution. Aquaporins are linked to physiological functions like maintaining water homeostasis in the whole body as well as to patho-physiological conditions like cancer formation and spreading. Increasing knowledge about the structure and function of aquaporins led to new approaches using aquaporins as diagnostics and drug targets.
authors.affiliation: Pharmazeutisches Institut, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel. jbuelow@pharmazie.uni-kiel.de
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: von Bülow
mesh_terms: D020346:Aquaporins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020346:Aquaporins; D014867:Water