Proteomic knowledge of human aquaporins

Proteomics. 2006 Oct;6(20):5637-49. doi: 10.1002/pmic.200600212.

Abstract

Aquaporins (AQPs) are an ubiquitous family of proteins characterized by sequence similarity and the presence of two NPA (Asp-Pro-Ala) motifs. At present, 13 human AQPs are known and they are divided into two subgroups according to their ability to transport only water molecules (AQP0, AQP1, AQP2, AQP4, AQP5, AQP6, and AQP8), or also glycerol and other small solutes (AQP3, AQP7, AQP9, AQP10, AQP12). The genomic, structural, and functional aspects of this family are briefly described. In particular, proteomic approaches to identify and characterize the most studied AQPs, mainly through SDS-PAGE followed by MS analysis, are discussed. Moreover, the clinical importance of the best studied aquaporin (AQP1) in human diseases is also provided.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Aquaporin 1 / chemistry
  • Aquaporins / chemistry*
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
  • Genome
  • Genome, Human
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • Aquaporins
  • Proteins
  • Aquaporin 1