Aquaporin-5 (AQP5), a water channel protein, in the rat salivary and lacrimal glands: immunolocalization and effect of secretory stimulation

Cell Tissue Res. 1999 Mar;295(3):513-21. doi: 10.1007/s004410051257.

Abstract

Aquaporin-5 (AQP5) is a water channel protein and is considered to play an important role in water movement across the plasma membrane. We raised anti-AQP5 antibody and examined the localization of AQP5 protein in rat salivary and lacrimal glands by immunofluorescence microscopy. AQP5 was found in secretory acinar cells of submandibular, parotid, and sublingual glands, where it was restricted to apical membranes including intercellular secretory canaliculi. In the submandibular gland, abundant AQP5 was also found additionally at the apical membrane of intercalated duct cells. Upon stimulation by isoproterenol, apical staining for AQP5 in parotid acinar cells tended to appear as clusters of dots. These results suggest that AQP5 is one of the candidate molecules responsible for the water movement in the salivary glands.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Aquaporin 5
  • Aquaporins / analysis*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Immunoblotting
  • Isoproterenol / pharmacology
  • Lacrimal Apparatus / chemistry*
  • Lacrimal Apparatus / drug effects
  • Lacrimal Apparatus / metabolism
  • Lacrimal Apparatus / ultrastructure
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Salivary Glands / chemistry*
  • Salivary Glands / drug effects
  • Salivary Glands / metabolism
  • Salivary Glands / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists
  • Aqp5 protein, rat
  • Aquaporin 5
  • Aquaporins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Isoproterenol