CONNER, Alex C., CONNER, Matthew T. and BILL, Roslyn M. (2013). An emerging consensus on aquaporin translocation as a regulatory mechanism. Molecular Membrane Biology, 30 (1), 1-12.
Abstract
Water passes through cell membranes relatively slowly by diffusion. In order to maintain water homeostasis, the rapid and
specific regulation of cellular water flow is mediated by the aquaporin (AQP) family of membrane protein water channels. The
wide range of tissues that are known to express AQPs is reflected by their involvement in many physiological processes and
diseases; thirteen human AQPs have been identified to date and the majority are highly specific for water while others show
selectivity for water, glycerol and other small solutes. Receptor mediated translocation, via hormone activation, is an
established method of AQP regulation, especially for AQP2. There is now an emerging consensus that the rapid and
reversible translocation of other AQPs from intracellular vesicles to the plasma membrane, triggered by a range of stimuli,
confers altered membrane permeability thereby acting as a regulatory mechanism. This review examines the molecular
components that may enable such AQP regulation; these include cytoskeletal proteins, kinases, calcium and retention or
localization signals. Current knowledge on the dynamic regulation of sub-cellular AQP translocation in response to a specific
trigger is explored in the context of the regulation of cellular water flow.
Keywords: Aquaporin regulation, translocation, water homeostasis
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