Author(s):
1. Nedeljka Ivković, 2. Siniša Ristić,
Abstract:
Rapid movement of water across cell membranes depends on the presence of integral membrane proteins, water channels, called aquaporins. Aquaporins are known to be expressed in almost all tissues in the body of various organisms. and to date, 13 aquaporins have been cloned. Several of the mammalian aquaporins appear to be highly selective for the passage of small, hydrophilic molecules of physiological importance like as carbon dioxide, glycerol, sugars, amino acids. With the growing understanding of the consequencesn of absence or mutations in aquaporins, the future will likely lead to specific targeting of its with drugs to correct brain swelling, cancerogenesis, epilepsy, some skin disorders, obesity and aquaporinopathies (nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, neuromyelitis optica)
Key words:
aquaporins, cell membrane, water permeability
Thematic field:
SYMPOSIUM C: Water
Date of abstract submission:
14.06.2012.
Number of visits:
433
Conference:
Contemporary Materials - 2012 - Savremeni materijali