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Human Aquaporins: Functional Diversity and Potential Roles in Infectious and Non-infectious Diseases

Abul Kalam Azad1, Topu Raihan1, Jahed Ahmed1,2

  • 1Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh.

Frontiers in Genetics
|April 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Aquaporins (AQPs) are vital proteins regulating water and solute transport. This review explores their role in both infectious and non-infectious diseases, highlighting AQPs as potential therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Aquaporins (AQPs) are integral membrane proteins crucial for transmembrane water and solute transport in all organisms.
  • Humans possess 13 AQPs (AQP0-AQP12), classified into orthodox, aquaglyceroporin, and unorthodox sub-classes based on pore selectivity.
  • AQPs are widely distributed in human tissues and involved in numerous physiological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the involvement of aquaporins (AQPs) in infectious and non-infectious diseases.
  • To discuss potential AQPs-target modulators for therapeutic applications.
  • To provide insights into AQP structures, tissue distribution, physiological relevance, functional diversity, and regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on aquaporins (AQPs) and their association with diseases.
  • Analysis of AQP roles in microbial pathogenesis and inflammation.
  • Synthesis of information on AQP structure, function, and therapeutic potential.

Main Results:

  • Human AQPs are implicated in a wide range of non-infectious diseases, including cancer, renal dysfunction, neurological disorders, and metabolic syndrome.
  • Emerging evidence suggests AQPs are regulated by microbial and parasitic infections, indicating their role in pathogenesis and immune responses.
  • AQPs are involved in maintaining cell water homeostasis during infections.

Conclusions:

  • Aquaporins (AQPs) play significant roles in both infectious and non-infectious diseases.
  • Further investigation of AQPs is warranted to develop them as potential therapeutic targets.
  • Modulating AQP activity offers a promising strategy for treating a diverse spectrum of diseases.

Keywords:
aquaporins and infectious diseasesdrug targetsfunctional regulationhuman aquaporinswater homeostasis

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