Proteomic knowledge of human aquaporins
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Tracking Single Proteins in Lipid Bilayers Using Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: December 12, 2025
Fulvio Magni1, Cecilia Sarto, Davide Ticozzi
1Department of Experimental, Environmental Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
Abstract:
Aquaporins (AQPs) are an ubiquitous family of proteins characterized by sequence similarity and the presence of two NPA (Asp-Pro-Ala) motifs. At present, 13 human AQPs are known and they are divided into two subgroups according to their ability to transport only water molecules (AQP0, AQP1, AQP2, AQP4, AQP5, AQP6, and AQP8), or also glycerol and other small solutes (AQP3, AQP7, AQP9, AQP10, AQP12). The genomic, structural, and functional aspects of this family are briefly described. In particular, proteomic approaches to identify and characterize the most studied AQPs, mainly through SDS-PAGE followed by MS analysis, are discussed. Moreover, the clinical importance of the best studied aquaporin (AQP1) in human diseases is also provided.
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