The human body consists of 70% water, contained in every cell. It is vital to life that this perfect cellular water balance be constantly maintained for the body to function as it should. This is where Aquaporins and their importance to water and to life come into play.
Aquaporins are integral membrane proteins that are to be found in bacteria, plants, animals and in human beings.
They facilitate the rapid and highly selective transport of water across cell membranes, which allow the cells to regulate their volume and internal osmotic pressure.
Aquaporins and their Importance to Water and to Life
Some of the importance of aquaporins to life can be demonstrated by the fact that Professor Peter Agre was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2003 for his discovery of the aquaporin water channel.
Much research has been, and is still being done on aquaporins since their discovery in 1992, and their roles in living cells are being increasingly well documented. Research into the use of aquaporins for water filtering and water purification devices is currently being undertaken.
More than 10 different aquaporins have been identified so far, and it is firmly believed that there are more.
Each aquaporin has its own unique pattern of expression; some of the know functions are:
1. Aquaporin-0: Balances fluid within the lens of the eyes; provides osmotic protection to red blood cells; controls the concentration of urine in the kidneys;
2. Aquaporin-1: Produces the aqueous humor in the eyes and the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain and the Alveolar hydration state in the lungs;
3. Aquaporin-2: Mediates antidiuretic hormone activity in the kidneys;
4. Aquaporin-3: Reabsorbs water into blood in the Kidneys; secretes water into the trachea
5. Aquaporin-4: Reabsorbs water into blood in the Kidneys; balances CSF fluid in the brain; provides and osmosensing function in the hypothalamus; and secretes bronchial fluid in the lungs;
6. Aquaporin-5: Production of saliva and of tears;
7. Aquaporin-6: Low water permeability in the kidneys;
8. Aquaporin-7: Transports glycerol out of adipocytes in fat cells;
Aquaporin 7 also has expressions in the testes and sperm; Aquaporin 8 in the testis, pancreas, liver, others, and Aquaporin 9 in leukocytes, but research in ongoing to discover the full extent of these expressions.
Scientists have recently discovered that aquaporins are present in tumours and that this may accelerate the growth of some cancers. It has also been discovered that antibodies that attack aquaporins are the cause of Devic’s disease, an incurable autoimmune disorder that can lead to paralysis, rapid blindness and loss of bladder and bowel control.
Multiple research studies are ongoing to develop new treatments for disease, including cancer. This includes identifying a molecule that will block aquaporins present in tumour cells. Dr Alan Verkman, professor of medicine and physiology at the University of California at San Francisco and his team have identified a molecule that can block the antibodies targeting aquaporins and it is believed that they are close to realising a therapy for Devic’s disease.
Water is Life, and we must all drink water to survive, but understanding how water moves through and works in our bodies is integral to being able to manipulate it for better health.
Sources:
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