Aquaporins of the Kidney and Water Homeostasis - Anatomy & Physiology
Revision as of 11:01, 5 July 2008 by Lwyatri (talk | contribs) (New page: <big><center>'''BACK TO DISTAL TUBULE'''</center></big> ==What are Aquaporins== * Family of membrane channel proteins * Over a dozen homologous wa...)
What are Aquaporins
- Family of membrane channel proteins
- Over a dozen homologous water transporting proteins make up this family in mammals
- Allow rapid transport of water accross membranes
- Found in all life forms
- Commonly abbreviated to AQP
- Ones found in the kidneys are:
- AQP1 - Tubules
- AQP2 - Collecting duct
- AQP3 - Collecting duct
- AQP4 - Collecting duct
- AQP6 - Collecting duct (intercalated cells)
- AQP 7 - Proximal tubule
- AQP11 - Kidney
- They are colour coded according to their function
- Water channels
- Glycerol channels
- Intracellular chloride channels
- Function Unknown
Why Do We Need Aquaporins
- Contrary to popular belief diffusion of water accross lipid bilayers is too slow for most physiological processes
- Aquaporins solve this problem