Aquaporins in Glandular Secretion

Giuseppe Calamita1, Christine Delporte2

  • 1Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.

Summary

Aquaporins (AQPs) are crucial for secretory mechanisms in various glands, facilitating product release. This chapter explores AQPs

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Aquaporins01:25

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.
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Reabsorption and Secretion in the DCT and Collecting Duct01:26

Reabsorption and Secretion in the DCT and Collecting Duct

The early phase of the DCT manages the reabsorption of approximately 10-15% of filtered water, 5–10% of filtered sodium, and 5–10% of filtered chloride. This process is facilitated by Na+–Cl− symporters in apical membranes and sodium-potassium pumps, as well as Cl− leakage channels in basolateral membranes. The early DCT also stands out as a site where parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulates calcium reabsorption, depending on the body's requirements.
The distal...
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Endocrine Signaling01:45

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Physiology of the Genitourinary System II: Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion01:22

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The kidneys maintain homeostasis through filtration, reabsorption, and secretion. Tubular reabsorption and secretion are crucial in forming urine and regulating electrolytes, water balance, and waste elimination.Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion ProcessesTubular reabsorption is the process that reclaims essential substances such as electrolytes, glucose, amino acids, and water from the glomerular filtrate back into the bloodstream. This is achieved through passive and active transport...
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Exocrine Glands: Methods of Secretion01:08

Exocrine Glands: Methods of Secretion

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Merocrine Secretion
Merocrine secretion is the most common type of exocrine secretion. The secretions are enclosed in vesicles and moved to the cell's apical surface, where the contents are released by exocytosis. For example, mucous, a watery secretion rich in the glycoprotein mucin, is a merocrine secretion. The eccrine...
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Physiology of the Genitourinary System III: Urine Concentration and Dilution01:20

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The kidneys concentrate or dilute urine to maintain water and electrolyte balance. Nephrons, particularly the loop of Henle, play a crucial role in this process through the countercurrent multiplication system. This system establishes a high osmolarity in the renal medulla, which is essential for water reabsorption. In the loop of Henle’s descending limb, water is reabsorbed into the surrounding medulla due to its permeability to water. In contrast, the ascending limb actively transports...
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