Vol 57, No 2 (2006)
Review paper
Published online: 2006-05-26
Current knowledge on aquaporin water channels: clinical implications
Endokrynol Pol 2006;57(2):149-157.
Abstract
The discovery of the aquaporin family of water channels
has explained to a high degree the mechanism of water
transport across cell membranes. The molecular structure
of the first purified aquaporin shows its tetrameric organization
with each subunit containing an individual aqueous
pore selectively permeable for water but not for protons.
At least 11 human aquaporins have been identified.
Definition of sites of their expression enabled explanation
of their physiological role as well as pathological importance
in congenital cataract or nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
Keywords: aquaporinscongenital cataractdiabetes insipidus
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