Aquaporins (aqps) are water channels proteins that facilitate water flux across cell membranes in response to osmotic gradients. despite of the differences in the mammalian placentas, the conserved combination of aqps expressed in placental and fetal membranes throughout gestation suggests that these proteins may be important in the regulation of fetal water homeostasis.. Aquaporins (often called aquaporin water channels) are a family of small, integral membrane proteins that are expressed broadly throughout the animal and plant kingdoms. they have a similar basic structure, with aquaporin monomers consisting of six transmembrane helical segments and two short helical segments that surround cytoplasmic and extracellular vestibules connected by a narrow aqueous pore (figure 1a).. Aquaporins are barrel shaped proteins that are present in the cell membranes of our corneocytes. they open up and allow water to flow from outside the cell into the center. this is how our skin regulates optimal hydration levels and ensures that each skin cell is sufficiently full of water. it is helpful to think of aquaporins as bouncers..
Gene organization and evolutionary history. the aquaporins are a family of small (24-30 kda) pore-forming integral membrane proteins. this ancient protein family was first named after its archetype, the major intrinsic protein (mip) of mammalian lens fibers [ 1, 2 ], which is now designated aqp0 (see table 1 ).. Since their discovery, aquaporins have been found to be implicated in a number of human diseases. if they could be manipulated, they might even be the key to curing some medical problems, such as fluid retention resulting from heart attack or stroke. aquaporin mutations and deficiencies can lead to disease as well.. Pollen aquaporins: what are they there for? pérez di giorgio ja(1), barberini ml(1), amodeo g(2)(3), muschietti jp(1)(3). author information: (1)a instituto de investigaciones en ingeniería genética y biología molecular, dr. héctor torres (ingebi-conicet) , vuelta de obligado, buenos aires , argentina..
