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Renal aquaporins and water balance disorders

Hanne B Moeller1, Cecilia H Fuglsang1, Robert A Fenton1

  • 1Department of Biomedicine and Center for Interactions of Proteins in Epithelial Transport, Aarhus University, Denmark.

Best Practice & Research. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
|May 10, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Aquaporins (AQPs) are protein channels crucial for water and solute transport in the kidneys. This review details their kidney localization, function, and role in water balance disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Aquaporins (AQPs) form a 13-member protein family (AQP0-12) facilitating water and small solute transport.
  • AQPs are highly expressed in kidney epithelial cells, playing a vital role in water homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the localization and function of aquaporins in the kidney tubule.
  • To discuss the role of AQPs in mammalian water homeostasis and related disorders.
  • To provide an overview of diagnostic and treatment strategies for AQP-related water balance disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current knowledge on aquaporin localization and function in the kidney.
  • Synthesis of information regarding aquaporin roles in water balance and disorders.
  • Compilation of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for kidney water balance abnormalities.

Main Results:

  • AQPs are differentially localized within the kidney tubule, mediating specific water and solute transport functions.
  • Dysregulation of AQP function is implicated in various mammalian water balance disorders.
  • Understanding AQP roles aids in diagnosing and managing conditions like nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

Conclusions:

  • Aquaporins are essential regulators of kidney water balance.
  • Targeting AQP function offers potential therapeutic strategies for water imbalance disorders.
  • Further research into AQP physiology and pathology is critical for advancing nephrology.

Keywords:
NDIaquaporinconcentrating mechanismnephrogenic diabetes insipidusthiazidevasopressinwater balancewater retention

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