[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.