This book provides a state-of-the-art report on our current
understanding of aquaporins and the future direction of the field.
Aquaporins (AQPs) are a group of water-channel proteins that are
specifically permeable to water and other small molecules, such as
glycerol and urea. To date thirteen water-channel proteins (AQP0 -
AQP12) have been cloned and the mechanisms and physiological functions
of water transport across biological membranes have long been the
subject of interest. Recent advances in the molecular biology and
physiology of water transport have yielded new insights into how and why
water moves across cell membranes, and studies on aquaporin knockout
mouse models suggest that aquaporins are involved in the development of
some diseases and they may be useful targets of research into
selective-inhibitor drugs.
By focusing on the advances made over the last 30 years in the
biophysics, genetics, protein structure, molecular biology, physiology,
pathophysiology and pharmacology of aquaporins in mammalian cell
membranes, this book provides novel insights into further mechanisms and
the physiological significance of water and some small molecule
transport in mammals in order to stimulate further research in new
directions.
In the second version, fourteen chapters will be updated base on the
most recent research articles. Ten new chapters will be added.
