cDNA cloning and gene structure of a novel water channel expressed exclusively in human kidney: evidence for a gene cluster of aquaporins at chromosome locus 12q13

Rapid gating and anion permeability of an intracellular aquaporin

Aquaporin (AQP) water-channel proteins are freely permeated by water but not by ions or charged solutes. Although mammalian aquaporins were believed to be located in plasma membranes, rat AQP6 is restricted to intracellular vesicles in renal epithelia. Here we show that AQP6 is functionally distinct from other known aquaporins. When expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, AQP6 exhibits low basal water permeability; however, when treated with the known water channel inhibitor, Hg2+, the water permeability of AQP6 oocytes rapidly rises up to tenfold and is accompanied by ion conductance. AQP6 colocalizes with H+-ATPase in intracellular vesicles of acid-secreting alpha-intercalated cells in renal collecting duct. At pH less than 5.5, anion conductance is rapidly and reversibly activated in AQP6 oocytes. Site-directed mutation of lysine to glutamate at position 72 in the cytoplasmic mouth of the pore changes the cation/anion selectivity, but leaves low pH activation intact. Our results demonstrate unusual biophysical properties of an aquaporin, and indicate that anion-channel function may now be explored in a protein with known structure.

High-resolution immunogold cytochemistry indicates that AQP4 is concentrated along the basal membrane of parietal cell in rat stomach

Gastric parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid in stomach. Because the secreted HCl solution is isotonic with the plasma fluid, it should accompany the water transport across the membranes of parietal cells. Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channel proteins that play the central role in the cellular handling of water in various mammalian tissues. Using immunocytochemistry, we found that AQP4 was expressed only in parietal cells of rat gastric mucosa. Immunogold electron microscopy study further demonstrated that AQP4 was mostly localized at the basal membrane of parietal cells. In the basal membrane, AQP4 was prominently enriched on the portion contacting with the basement membrane surrounding gastric glands. These results suggest that the contact between basement membrane and basal membrane may generate the signal involved in the targeting of AQP4 in gastric parietal cells.

Defective secretion of saliva in transgenic mice lacking aquaporin-5 water channels

Aquaporin-5 (AQP5) is a water-selective transporting protein expressed in epithelial cells of serous acini in salivary gland. We generated AQP5 null mice by targeted gene disruption. The genotype distribution from intercross of founder AQP5 heterozygous mice was 70:69:29 wild-type:heterozygote:knockout, indicating impaired prenatal survival of the null mice. The knockout mice had grossly normal appearance, but grew approximately 20% slower than litter-matched wild-type mice when placed on solid food after weaning. Pilocarpine-stimulated saliva production was reduced by more than 60% in AQP5 knockout mice. Compared with the saliva from wild-type mice, the saliva from knockout mice was hypertonic (420 mosM) and dramatically more viscous. Amylase and protein secretion, functions of salivary mucous cells, were not affected by AQP5 deletion. Water channels AQP1 and AQP4 have also been localized to salivary gland; however, pilocarpine stimulation studies showed no defect in the volume or composition of saliva in AQP1 and AQP4 knockout mice. These results implicate a key role for AQP5 in saliva fluid secretion and provide direct evidence that high epithelial cell membrane water permeability is required for active, near-isosmolar fluid transport.

Aquaporin-6: An intracellular vesicle water channel protein in renal epithelia

All characterized mammalian aquaporins (AQPs) are localized to plasma membranes where they function chiefly to mediate water transport across cells. Here we show that AQP6 is localized exclusively in intracellular membranes in renal epithelia. By using a polyclonal antibody to the C terminus of AQP6, immunoblots revealed a major 30-kDa band in membranes from rat renal cortex and medulla. Endoglycosidase treatment demonstrated presence of an intracellular high mannose glycan on each subunit. Sequential ultracentrifugation of rat kidney homogenates confirmed that AQP6 resides predominantly in vesicular fractions, and immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic studies confirmed that >98% of AQP6 is located in intracellular membrane vesicles. In glomeruli, AQP6 is present in membrane vesicles within podocyte cell bodies and foot processes. In proximal tubules, AQP6 is also abundant in membrane vesicles within the subapical compartment of segment 2 and segment 3 cells, but was not detected in the brush border or basolateral membranes. In collecting duct, AQP6 resides in intracellular membrane vesicles in apical, mid, and basolateral cytoplasm of type A intercalated cells, but was not observed in the plasma membrane. Unlike other members of the AQP family, the unique distribution in intracellular membrane vesicles in multiple types of renal epithelia indicates that AQP6 is not simply involved in transcellular fluid absorption. Moreover, our studies predict that AQP6 participates in distinct physiological functions such as glomerular filtration, tubular endocytosis, and acid-base metabolism.

Expression and localization of aquaporins in rat gastrointestinal tract

A family of water-selective channels, aquaporins (AQP), has been demonstrated in various organs and tissues. However, the localization and expression of the AQP family members in the gastrointestinal tract have not been entirely elucidated. This study aimed to demonstrate the expression and distribution of several types of the AQP family and to speculate on their role in water transport in the rat gastrointestinal tract. By RNase protection assay, expression of AQP1-5 and AQP8 was examined in various portions through the gastrointestinal tract. AQP1 and AQP3 mRNAs were diffusely expressed from esophagus to colon, and their expression was relatively intense in the small intestine and colon. In contrast, AQP4 mRNA was selectively expressed in the stomach and small intestine and AQP8 mRNA in the jejunum and colon. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization demonstrated cellular localization of these AQP in these portions. AQP1 was localized on endothelial cells of lymphatic vessels in the submucosa and lamina propria throughout the gastrointestinal tract. AQP3 was detected on the circumferential plasma membranes of stratified squamous epithelial cells in the esophagus and basolateral membranes of cardiac gland epithelia in the lower stomach and of surface columnar epithelia in the colon. However, AQP3 was not apparently detected in the small intestine. AQP4 was present on the basolateral membrane of the parietal cells in the lower stomach and selectively in the basolateral membranes of deep intestinal gland cells in the small intestine. AQP8 mRNA expression was demonstrated in the absorptive columnar epithelial cells of the jejunum and colon by in situ hybridization. These findings may indicate that water crosses the epithelial layer through these water channels, suggesting a possible role of the transcellular route for water intake or outlet in the gastrointestinal tract.

Reduced water permeability and altered ultrastructure in thin descending limb of Henle in aquaporin-1 null mice

It has been controversial whether high water permeability in the thin descending limb of Henle (TDLH) is required for formation of a concentrated urine by the kidney. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy (FFEM) of rat TDLH has shown an exceptionally high density of intramembrane particles (IMPs), which were proposed to consist of tetramers of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) water channels. In this study, transepithelial osmotic water permeability (Pf) was measured in isolated perfused segments (0.5-1 mm) of TDLH in wild-type (+/+), AQP1 heterozygous (+/-), and AQP1 null (-/-) mice. Pf was measured at 37 degrees C using a 100 mM bath-to-lumen osmotic gradient of raffinose, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran as the luminal volume marker. Pf was (in cm/s): 0.26 +/- 0.02 ([+/+]; SE, n = 9 tubules), 0.21 +/- 0.01 ([+/-]; n = 12), and 0.031 +/- 0.007 ([-/-]; n = 6) (P < 0.02, [+/+] vs. [+/-]; P < 0.0001, [+/+] vs. [-/-]). FFEM of kidney medulla showed remarkably fewer IMPs in TDLH from (-/-) vs. (+/+) and (+/-) mice. IMP densities were (in microm-2, SD, 5-12 micrographs): 5,880 +/- 238 (+/+); 5,780 +/- 450 (+/-); and 877 +/- 420 (-/-). IMP size distribution analysis revealed mean IMP diameters of 8.4 nm ([+/+] and [+/-]) and 5.2 nm ([-/-]). These results demonstrate that AQP1 is the principal water channel in TDLH and support the view that osmotic equilibration along TDLH by water transport plays a key role in the renal countercurrent concentrating mechanism. The similar Pf and AQP1 expression in TDLH of (+/+) and (+/-) mice was an unexpected finding that probably accounts for the unimpaired urinary concentrating ability in (+/-) mice.

A water channel of the nematode C. elegans and its implications for channel selectivity of MIP proteins

A genome project focusing on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has demonstrated the presence of eight cDNAs belonging to the major intrinsic protein superfamily. We functionally characterized one of these cDNAs named C01G6.1. Injection of C01G6.1 cRNA increased the osmotic water permeability (Pf) of Xenopus oocytes 11-fold and the urea permeability 4.5-fold but failed to increase the glycerol permeability. It has been speculated that the MIP family may be separated into two large subfamilies based on the presence or absence of two segments of extra amino acid residues ( approximately 15 amino acids) at the second and third extracellular loops. Because C01G6.1 (designated AQP-CE1), AQP3, and glycerol facilitator (GlpF) all have these two segments, we replaced the segments of AQP-CE1 with those of AQP3 and GlpF to identify their roles. The functional characteristics of these mutants were principally similar to that of wild-type AQP-CE1, although the values of Pf and urea permeability were decreased by 39-74% and 28-65%, respectively. These results suggest that the two segments of extra amino acid residues may not contribute to channel selectivity or formation of the route for small solutes.

Cloning and functional expression of human aquaporin8 cDNA and analysis of its gene

The cDNA and the gene of human aquaporin8 (AQP8) were cloned from human testis cDNA and a genomic library, respectively. The AQP8 cDNA encodes 261 amino acids. The identity of the amino acid sequence to other aquaporins is highest with a plant water channel, gamma-TIP (40.4%), while AQP2 and AQP3 are 28.9 and 29.5% identical to human AQP8, respectively. The human AQP8 is only 74.9% identical to rat AQP8 and 76.0% identical to mouse AQP8. In Northern blot analysis, approximately 1.35-kb human AQP8 mRNA was expressed in pancreas and colon, but not in other tissues. Absence of human AQP8 in testis is noteworthy as rat AQP8 was abundantly expressed in testis. The expression of human AQP8 cRNA in Xenopus oocytes increased osmotic water permeability by 10-fold. AQP8 was not permeable to urea nor to glycerol. The AQP8 gene has five introns, and the locations of exon-intron boundaries were different from those of the other mammalian aquaporins, suggesting its separate phylogenetic origin.

Role of aquaporin water channels in kidney and lung

Several aquaporin-type water channels are expressed in mammalian kidney and lung: AQP1 in lung microvessels and kidney proximal tubule, thin descending limb of Henle, and vasa recta; AQP2 in apical membrane of collecting duct epithelium; AQP3 and AQP4 in basolateral membranes of airway and collecting duct epithelium; and AQP5 in alveolar epithelium. Novel quantitative fluorescence methods demonstrated very high water permeabilities of the alveolar epithelial and endothelial barriers, and moderately high water permeability across distal airways. In the kidney, water permeability is high in proximal tubule and thin descending limb of Henle, and regulated by vasopressin in collecting duct. The author's laboratory has studied the role of aquaporins in organ physiology using transgenic knockout mice lacking specific aquaporins. AQP1 null mice are mildly growth-retarded, manifest a severe urinary concentrating defect, and have reduced water permeability between airspace and capillary compartments. AQP4 null mice appear normal grossly except for a mild defect in maximum urinary concentrating ability. AQP2-deficient humans have hereditary non-X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI). In transfected mammalian cells, many NDI-causing AQP2 mutants are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. The author's laboratory has found that "chemical chaperones," that is, small compounds that promote protein folding in vitro, are able to correct defective AQP2 trafficking in cell culture models. The transgenic mouse and mammalian cell models are thus beginning to provide clues about the role of aquaporins in normal physiology and disease.

Aquaporins in the kidney: emerging new aspects

Since 1992 and the discovery of an MIP (major intrinsic protein of lens fiber cell) homologue protein that selectively permeates water, aquaporin (AQP), there has been an explosion of research in this field. Early research speculated that aquaporins played indispensible physiological roles in bacteria and plants, as well as in mammalian organs such as red blood cells, kidney, eye, brain and lung, where water transport rapidly takes place. Yet human subjects were identified who lacked AQP1 and yet had no apparent phenotypical changes clinically. To date 10 aquaporins have been discovered and a plethora of MIP members, and their prevalance in almost all organisms is a testament to their indispensible roles in the body, possibly as water and small neutral solute transporting channels. The recent localization of many different aquaporins in the same organ indicates that they may work cooperatively, which may partially explain the mystery of their physiological mechanism. Because the physiological roles of most aquaporins are currently only speculation, more extensive research is necessary to understand the exact function of each aquaporin.

Progress on the structure and function of aquaporin 1

Life exists in water as universal solvent, and cells need to deal with its influx and efflux. Nature has accomplished the almost impossible, creating membrane channels with both a high flux and a high specificity for water. The first water channel was discovered in red blood cell membranes. Today known as aquaporin-1, this channel was found to be closely related to the major integral protein (MIP)1 of the eye lens. Cloning and sequencing of numerous related proteins of the MIP family revealed the widespread occurrence of such channels, suggesting an essential physiological function. Their structures hold the clues to the remarkable water channel activity, as well as to the arrangement of transmembrane segments in general. Recent medium-resolution three-dimensional electron microscopic studies determined a tetrameric complex with six tilted transmembrane helices per monomer. The helices within each monomer surround a central density formed by two interhelical loops implicated by mutagenesis in the water channel function. A combination of sequence analysis and assignment of the observed densities to predicted helices provides a basis for speculation on the nature of the water course through the protein. In particular, four highly conserved polar residues, E142-N192-N76-E17, are proposed to form a chain of key groups involved in the pathway of water flow through the channel.

Aquaporin-2 and -3: representatives of two subgroups of the aquaporin family colocalized in the kidney collecting duct

Since the molecular identification of the first aquaporin in 1992, the number of proteins known to belong to this family has been rapidly increasing. These members may be separated into two subgroups based on gene structure, sequence homology, and function. Regulation of the water permeability of the collecting ducts of the kidney is essential for urinary concentration. Aquaporin-2 and -3, which are representative of these subgroups, are colocalized in the collecting ducts. Understanding these subgroups will elucidate the differences between aquaporin-2 and -3. Aquaporin-2 is a vasopressin-regulated water channel located in the apical membrane, and aquaporin-3 is a constitutive water channel located in the basolateral membrane. In contrast to aquaporin-3, which appears to be less well regulated, many studies have now identified multiple regulational mechanisms at the gene, protein, and cell levels for aquaporin-2, thus reflecting its physiological importance. Evidence of the participation of aquaporin-2 in the pathophysiology of water-balance disorders is accumulating.

Acetylcholine acts on M3 muscarinic receptors and induces the translocation of aquaporin5 water channel via cytosolic Ca2+ elevation in rat parotid glands

To evaluate the role of aquaporin5 (AQP5) in salivary secretion induced by cholinergic stimulation, the alteration of the distribution of AQP5 in rat parotid tissues induced by acetylcholine (ACh) was studied by immunobolt analysis. The treatment of the tissues with ACh within 1 min induced the translocation of AQP5 from intracellular membranes (ICM) to apical membranes (APM), but that for more than 5 min resulted in the converse translocation from APM to ICM. The ACh-induced increase in the amount of AQP5 in APM was inhibited by atropine, p-F-HHSiD and TMB-8, but not by methoctramine, staurosporine or H-7. The calcium ionophore A-23187 alone stimulated the translocation of AQP5 between APM and ICM. These results indicated that ACh acted on M3 muscarinic receptors and induced the translocation of AQP5 between ICM and APM, and that the cytosolic Ca2+ elevation by ACh may play a key role in this translocation in rat parotid glands.

Cloning and functional expression of a new aquaporin (AQP9) abundantly expressed in the peripheral leukocytes permeable to water and urea, but not to glycerol

A new member (AQP9) of the aquaporin family was identified from human leukocytes by homology cloning using PCR. A full length clone was obtained by screening human liver cDNA library. AQP9 encodes a 295-amino-acid protein with the amino acid sequence identity with AQP3 (48%), AQP7 (45%), and other aquaporins (approximately 30%), suggesting that AQP3, AQP7, and AQP9 belong to a subfamily of the aquaporin family. Injection of AQP9-cRNA into Xenopus oocytes stimulated the osmotic water permeability 7-folds with a low activation energy (4.2 kcal/mol) which was inhibited by 0.3 mM mercury chloride by 48%. AQP9 also facilitated urea transport 4-folds. However, in contrast to AQP3 and AQP7, AQP9 did not stimulate the glycerol permeability, suggesting a unique permeability character. Northern blot analysis revealed the high expression of 3.5-kb messages in peripheral leukocytes >> liver > lung = spleen, but not in thymus. The possible role of AQP9 in the immunological function of leukocytes is intriguing and the identification of AQP9 with unique permeability profile may expand our understanding of water and small solute transport in the body.

The aquaporins. A family of water channel proteins

The recent discovery of aquaporins, a family of highly conserved water channel proteins, which are expressed in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, has provoked a re-evaluation of the physiology of water transport in all organisms. So far, seven distinct aquaporins have been characterised in mammals, but highly homologous family members have also been found in amphibians, insects, plants and bacteria. These transmembrane proteins serve to facilitate water transport down osmotic gradients with low activation energy. Alterations in channel expression, cellular targeting and perhaps channel permeability regulate membrane water transport. Naturally occurring and experimentally produced mutations in aquaporins cause a variety of perturbations of water homeostasis. Manipulation of aquaporin expression may have a therapeutic role in several disease processes including cardiac failure and the ascites associated with liver disease.

Molecular cloning and expression of a novel human aquaporin from adipose tissue with glycerol permeability

In a systematic analysis of genes expressed in human adipose tissue, we detected a novel gene that is expressed uniquely in adipose tissue. The sequence showed that it encodes a 342-amino-acid protein containing six putative transmembrane domains, and is a new member of the aquaporin family of water-selective membrane channels. We named this gene aquaporin 9. It features a cyclic-AMP protein kinase phosphorylation consensus site in the NH3-terminal domain. Expression of the cRNA in Xenopus oocytes yielded a 7-fold increase in osmotic water permeability blocked by 0.3 mM HgCl2, and also facilitated the uptake of glycerol. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the mRNA is abundant in adipose tissue, but not in other tissues. Thus, this gene product may participate in glycerol transport in adipocytes.

Cloning of a novel water and urea-permeable aquaporin from mouse expressed strongly in colon, placenta, liver, and heart

An aquaporin-type water channel was isolated from mouse based on homology to known aquaporins. A 1447 bp cDNA was sequenced (designated AQP8) with a 783 bp open reading frame encoding a 261 amino acid hydrophobic protein which contained the conserved NPA motifs of MIP family members. Amino acid alignment showed greatest homology of AQP8 to plant water channel gamma TIP (38% identity) followed by mammalian water channels AQP4 (32%) and AQP2 (31%). Northern blot analysis indicated a 1.7 kb transcript expressed strongly in placenta > colon > liver approximately heart. RT-PCR with AQP8-specific primers and Southern blot analysis showed AQP8 transcript in the above tissues and in pancreas, lung, kidney, submandibular gland, diaphragm, testis, spleen, stomach and brain. Expression of AQP8 cRNA in Xenopus oocytes increased osmotic water permeability from (0.8 +/- 0.1) x 10(-3) cm/s to (22 +/- 3) x 10(-3) cm/s (10 degrees C) in a mercurial-sensitive manner. AQP8 was also permeable to urea but not to glycerol. Normalization for oocyte plasma membrane expression using cMyc-tagged AQP8 indicated a single channel water permeability of 8.2 x 10(-14) cm3/s. AQP8 is unique among the water channels in terms of its urea permeability and its strong expression in gastrointestinal organs, placenta and heart.

Cloning and functional expression of a second new aquaporin abundantly expressed in testis

A new member of water channels has been identified from rat testis. This gene, termed aquaporin 8 (AQP8), encoded a 263-amino-acid protein that contained the conserved NPA motifs of MIP family proteins. AQP8 has amino acid sequence identity with other aquaporins (approximately 35%) and highest with a plant water channel, AQP-gamma TIP (39%), suggesting that AQP8 is a unique member in mammalian aquaporins. The expression of AQP8 in Xenopus oocytes stimulated the osmotic water permeability (Pr) 8.5 folds. The increase of Pr was inhibited with 0.3 mM mercury chloride by 55%, which was reversed with mercaptoethanol. The Arrhenius activation energy for the stimulated water permeability was low (5.1 kcal/mol). AQP8 did not facilitate glycerol transport. Northern blot analysis revealed a 1.5-kb transcript of AQP8 abundantly in testis and slightly in liver. In situ hybridization of testis revealed the expression of AQP8 mRNA in all stages of spermatogenesis from primary spermatocytes to spermatids in seminiferous tubules. Together with previously cloned AQP7, AQP8 may also play an important role in spermatogenesis. The unexpected complexity of the presence of two aquaporins in testis may call for the further analysis of the role of aquaporins in the reproduction biology.

Cloning and functional expression of a new water channel abundantly expressed in the testis permeable to water, glycerol, and urea

A new member of the aquaporin (AQP) family has been identified from rat testis. This gene, referred as aquaporin 7 (AQP7), encodes a 269-amino acid protein that contained the conserved NPA motifs of MIP family proteins. AQP7 has the amino acid sequence homology with other aquaporins ( approximately 30%), and it is highest with AQP3 (48%), suggesting that both AQP3 and AQP7 belong to a subfamily in the MIP family. Injection of AQP7-cRNA into Xenopus oocytes expressed a 26-kDa protein detected by immunoblotting. The expression of AQP7 in oocytes stimulated the osmotic water permeability by 10-fold which was not inhibited by 0.3 mM mercury chloride. The Arrhenius activation energy for the stimulated water permeability was low (2.1 kcal/mol). AQP7 also facilitated glycerol and urea transport by 5- and 9-fold, respectively. The activation energy for glycerol was also low (5.3 kcal/mol after the correction of the endogenous glycerol permeability of oocytes). Northern blot analysis revealed a 1.5-kilobase pair transcript expressed abundantly in testis. In situ hybridization of testis revealed the expression of AQP7 at late spermatids in seminiferous tubules. The immunohistochemistry of testis localized the AQP7 expression at late spermatids and at maturing sperms. AQP7 may play an important role in sperm function.

Closely spaced tandem arrangement of AQP2, AQP5, and AQP6 genes in a 27-kilobase segment at chromosome locus 12q13

The aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of water-transporting proteins that facilitate osmotically driven water movement across cell plasma membranes. Among the seven human aquaporins cloned to date (AQPs 0-6), genes encoding the four most closely related aquaporins (AQP0, AQP2, AQP5, and AQP6) have been mapped to chromosome band 12q13, suggesting an aquaporin family gene cluster at this locus. To construct a physical map and identify novel aquaporin gene members on this cluster, a human CEPH B yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) library was screened by PCR using primers derived from exon 4 of AQP2 and AQP0 genes. A YAC clone with 200 kb of human DNA was isolated and analyzed. Primary pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and Southern blot analysis indicated the presence of AQP2, AQP5, and AQP6 genes, but not AQP0. Restriction mapping and PCR analysis yielded a precise physical map in which the three aquaporin genes span only approximately 27 kb in the order, transcriptional orientation, and spacer length 5'-AQP2-5 kb spacer-AQP5-7 kb spacer-AQP6-3'.

Water and glycerol permeabilities of aquaporins 1-5 and MIP determined quantitatively by expression of epitope-tagged constructs in Xenopus oocytes

The goal of this study was to compare single channel water and glycerol permeabilities of mammalian aquaporins (AQP) 1-5 and the major intrinsic protein of lens fiber (MIP). Each of the six cloned cDNAs from rat was left untagged or was epitope-tagged with c-Myc or FLAG at either the N or C terminus so that results would not depend on epitope identity or location. The constructs were expressed in Xenopus oocytes for measurement of osmotic water permeability (Pf), [3H]glycerol uptake, and protein expression. Each of the 30 epitope-tagged constructs was expressed strongly at the oocyte plasma membrane. The 10-min uptake of [3H]glycerol was increased significantly (range of 4.5-8-fold over control) in oocytes expressing untagged AQP3 (GLIP) and each of the four tagged AQP3 constructs; [3H]glycerol uptake was not increased in oocytes expressing AQP1, AQP2, AQP4, AQP5, or MIP. In oocytes microinjected with 5 ng of cRNA, average Pf values (in cm/s x 10(-3)) were 0.67 +/- 0.06 (control), 19 +/- 2 (AQP1), 10 +/- 1 (AQP2), 8 +/- 2 (AQP3), 29 +/- 1 (AQP4), 10 +/- 1 (AQP5), and 1.3 +/- 0.2 (MIP), and they were relatively insensitive to the presence, identity, or location of the epitope tag. Pf values were not affected by protein kinase A or C activation. After normalization for plasma membrane expression by immunoprecipitation of microdissected plasma membranes, single channel water permeabilities (pf, referenced to the AQP1 pf of 6 x 10(-14) cm3/s) were (in cm3/s x 10(-14)) 3.3 +/- 0.2 (AQP2), 2.1 +/- 0.3 (AQP3), 24 +/- 0.6 (AQP4), 5.0 +/- 0.4 (AQP5), and 0.25 +/- 0.05 (MIP); pf values were insensitive to epitope identity and location. These results indicate very different intrinsic water permeabilities for the mammalian aquaporin homologs, with the pf value for AQP4 remarkably higher than those for the others. The pf values establish limits on aquaporin tissue densities required for physiological function and suggest significant structural and functional differences among the aquaporins.

The aquaporin family of water channel proteins in clinical medicine

The aquaporins are a family of membrane channel proteins that serve as selective pores through which water crosses the plasma membranes of many human tissues and cell types. The sites where aquaporins are expressed implicate these proteins in renal water reabsorption, cerebrospinal fluid secretion and reabsorption, generation of pulmonary secretions, aqueous humor secretion and reabsorption, lacrimation, and multiple other physiologic processes. Determination of the aquaporin gene sequences and their chromosomal locations has provided insight into the structure and pathophysiologic roles of these proteins, and primary and secondary involvement of aquaporins is becoming apparent in diverse clinical disorders. Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) is expressed in multiple tissues including red blood cells, and the Colton blood group antigens represent a polymorphism on the AQP1 protein. AQP2 is restricted to renal collecting ducts and has been linked to congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in humans and to lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and fluid retention from congestive heart failure in rat models. Congenital cataracts result from mutations in the mouse gene encoding the lens homolog Aqp0 (Mip). The present understanding of aquaporin physiology is still incomplete; identification of additional members of the aquaporin family will affect future studies of multiple disorders of water distribution throughout the body. In some tissues, the aquaporins may participate in the transepithelial movement of fluid without being rate limiting, so aquaporins may be involved in clinical disorders without being causative. As outlined in this review, our challenge is to identify disease states in which aquaporins are involved, to define the aquaporins' roles mechanistically, and to search for ways to exploit this information therapeutically.