TLDR: Aquaporins are like tiny water channels in our cells that help water move in and out quickly. They are found in many different organisms and play important roles in various biological processes.

Aquaporins, also known as water channels, are proteins that form pores in the cell membrane of biological cells. These pores allow water to pass through the membrane, facilitating the transport of water between cells. Aquaporins are found in a variety of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, animals, and plants. They are especially important in tissues with high water permeability, where they allow water to flow more rapidly into and out of the cells compared to diffusion through the phospholipid bilayer of the membrane.

Aquaporins have a unique structure consisting of six membrane-spanning alpha helices with both carboxylic and amino terminals on the cytoplasmic side. Two hydrophobic loops contain a conserved NPA motif, which forms a barrel surrounding a central pore-like region. This central region allows water molecules to pass through while blocking the passage of ions and other solutes. Aquaporins are usually always open and are prevalent in almost every cell type, leading to the misconception that water readily passes through the cell membrane. While water can pass through the membrane through simple diffusion and osmosis, aquaporins significantly enhance the rate of water transport.

The discovery of aquaporins and their role in water transport was recognized with the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded to Peter Agre and Roderick MacKinnon. Genetic defects involving aquaporin genes have been associated with several human diseases, including nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and neuromyelitis optica.

Aquaporins are like the plumbing system for cells, allowing water to move through cells in an organized and efficient manner. They selectively conduct water molecules while preventing the passage of ions and other solutes. Aquaporins are essential for water transport in plants and play a role in plant growth and tolerance to drought and salt stresses. In mammals, there are different types of aquaporins located in the kidney that are involved in water reabsorption. In plants, aquaporins are found in the plasma membrane and vacuolar membrane, facilitating water transport across these membranes. Aquaporins are also present in other organisms such as fungi and protozoans.

Mutations in aquaporin genes have been linked to various diseases in humans, including hereditary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and congenital cataracts. Aquaporins are also involved in acquired forms of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and autoimmune diseases like neuromyelitis optica. Understanding aquaporins and their functions could potentially lead to the development of treatments for medical conditions related to water balance and fluid retention.

So, aquaporins are like tiny water channels in our cells that help water move in and out quickly. They are found in many different organisms and play important roles in various biological processes.

Related Links:

• Aquaporin
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
• Neuromyelitis optica