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Aquaporins: a promising target for drug development
Kandiah Jeyaseelan1, Sugunavathi Sepramaniam, Arunmozhiarasi Armugam
1Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Department of Biochemistry, 8 Medical Drive, 117597, Singapore. bchjeya@nus.edu.sg
Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|November 16, 2006
Summary
Aquaporins (AQPs) are vital membrane proteins controlling cell water flow. This review highlights their links to diseases like cancer and obesity, suggesting AQPs as potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Aquaporins (AQPs) are integral membrane proteins crucial for cellular water transport.
- Thirteen mammalian AQPs (AQP 0-12) are known, each with specific roles.
- Dysregulation of AQPs is linked to numerous human diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the association of each mammalian aquaporin with various human pathological conditions.
- To identify aquaporins as potential therapeutic targets for disease treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of aquaporin function and disease association.
- Analysis of current research on aquaporins in human diseases.
Main Results:
- Specific aquaporins are implicated in conditions including cancer, cataracts, edema, gallstones, diabetes insipidus, obesity, and polycystic kidney disease.
- Understanding AQP roles in disease provides a basis for targeted therapies.
Conclusions:
- Aquaporins represent promising targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
- Further research into AQP function in disease pathogenesis is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Aquaporins
Aquaporins or AQPs are a family of integral membrane proteins whose primary function is to transport water, while some called aquaglyceroporins also transport glycerol. In addition, aquaporins have also been suspected to be involved in transporting volatile substances, such as carbon dioxide and ammonia, across membranes. Such AQPs that act as gas channels are often highly expressed in cells involved in the gaseous exchange, such as red blood cells, epithelial cells, and pulmonary capillaries.
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