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Aquaporins

Aquaporins

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.

Glial Cells

Glial Cells

Neural Circuits

Neural Circuits

Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...

Action Potential

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they...

Action Potentials

Action Potentials

Transcellular Transport of Solutes

Transcellular Transport of Solutes

Transcellular transport of solutes is the movement of substances like monosaccharides and amino acids through polarized cells. This transport mechanism is primarily seen in epithelial and endothelial cells aided by membrane transport proteins such as channels and transporters. The tight junctions between these cells confine the membrane proteins to the two sides of the cell. The epithelial cells have distinct apical and basolateral domains. In contrast, the endothelial cells show the luminal...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2025

Induction of Paralysis and Visual System Injury in Mice by T Cells Specific for Neuromyelitis Optica Autoantigen Aquaporin-4

Induction of Paralysis and Visual System Injury in Mice by T Cells Specific for Neuromyelitis Optica Autoantigen Aquaporin-4

Published on: August 21, 2017

Aquaporins in Nervous System.

Ming Xiao¹, Jiaoyu Hou², Mengmeng Xu³

¹Jiangsu Province, Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology

|January 30, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are crucial for water transport in the central nervous system (CNS). AQP4 is vital for brain fluid balance, glymphatic function, and neurological disorders, suggesting AQPs as potential therapeutic targets.

Keywords:

Aquaporins Brain disorders Nervous system

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Molecular Biology
Physiology

Background:

Aquaporins (AQPs) facilitate water movement across cell membranes.
Nine AQPs are expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), belonging to aquaporin, aquaglyceroporin, and superaquaporin subfamilies.
Specific AQPs are also present in the peripheral nervous system.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the expression and function of AQPs in the CNS and peripheral nervous system.
To highlight the critical role of AQP4 in CNS water homeostasis and brain pathology.
To explore the potential of AQPs as therapeutic targets for CNS disorders.

Main Methods:

Literature review and synthesis of existing research on AQP expression and function in the nervous system.
Focus on the roles of specific AQP members, particularly AQP4.
Analysis of AQP involvement in physiological and pathological processes.

Main Results:

AQP4 is the predominant water channel in the CNS, crucial for managing cytotoxic and vasogenic edema.
AQP4 plays a key role in the glymphatic system, essential for clearing brain waste.
Dysregulation of AQP4 is implicated in neuromyelitis optica, brain tumors, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Other AQPs also contribute to various brain functions and pathologies.

Conclusions:

AQPs, especially AQP4, are fundamentally important for CNS water balance, waste clearance, and overall brain health.
AQPs are implicated in the pathophysiology of major neurological disorders.
Targeting AQPs may offer novel therapeutic strategies for treating conditions like cerebral edema.