Current knowledge on aquaporin water channels: clinical implications

Małgorzata Jasiewicz; Janusz Myśliwiec

Vol 57, No 2 (2006)

Review paper

Submitted: 2013-02-15

Published online: 2006-05-26

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Current knowledge on aquaporin water channels: clinical implications

Małgorzata Jasiewicz, Janusz Myśliwiec

Endokrynol Pol 2006;57(2):149-157.

Vol 57, No 2 (2006)

Review Article

Submitted: 2013-02-15

Published online: 2006-05-26

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.