Importance of NPA motifs in the expression and function of water channel aquaporin-1

The asparagine-proline-alanine sequences (NPA motifs) are highly conserved in aquaporin water channel family. Crystallographic studies of AQP1 structure demonstrated that the two NPA motifs are in the narrow central constriction of the channel, serving to bind water molecules for selective and effi-cient water passage. To investigate the importance of the two NPA motifs in the structure, function and biogenesis of aquaporin water channels, we generated AQP1 mutations with NPA1 deletion, NPA2 de-letion and NPA1,2 double deletion. The coding sequences of the three mutated cDNAs were subcloned into the mammalian expression vector pcDNA3.1 to form expression plasmids. We established stably transfected CHO cell lines expressing these AQP1 mutants. Immunofluorescence indicated that all the three mutated AQP1 proteins are expressed normally on the plasma membrane of stably transfected CHO cells, suggesting that deletion of NPA motifs does not influence the expression and intracellular processing of AQP1. Functional analysis demonstrated that NPA1 or NPA2 deletion reduced AQP1 water permeability by 49.6% and 46.7%, respectively, while NPA1,2 double deletion had little effect on AQP1 water permeability. These results provide evidence that NPA motifs are important for water per-meation but not essential for the expression, intracellular processing and the basic structure of AQP1 water channel.     

气道高反应大鼠水通道蛋白与呼吸道粘液分泌的相关性研究

为观察气道高反应大鼠肺组织AQP4和AQP5的表达对呼吸道粘液分泌量和质的影响,取24只SPF级Wister大鼠随机分为3组:正常对照组；气道高反应组；气道高反应+糖皮质激素治疗组；每组8只.各组依次检测大鼠的气道粘液分泌总量、肺组织AQP4和AQP5的表达量、肺组织MUC5B的表达量,分析AQPs(AQP4、AQP5)的表达和粘液分泌量、MUC5B的表达之间的关系.结果显示,气道高反应组大鼠AQP4、AQP5的表达明显低于正常对照组,气道高反应组大鼠的气道粘液分泌总量和MUC5B的表达明显高于正常对照组,较气道高反应组经糖皮质激素治疗后肺组织AQP4、AQP5含量增多,MUC5B表达有下降,气道粘液分泌总量减少.以上结果提示,在气道高反应过程中,AQPs(AQP4、AQP5)的表达下调可增加粘蛋白MUC5B的表达和气道粘液分泌量.     

视神经脊髓炎与水通道蛋白4的进展研究

水通道蛋白4(AQP4)是 NMO IgG(视神经脊髓炎特异性抗体)的靶抗原.水通道蛋白4抗体(AQP4抗体)通过破坏血脑屏障、参与抗原激活星形胶质细胞的经典补体途径等方法导致中枢神经炎症及细胞毒性而致病.AQP4抗体阳性有助于明确NMO诊断并指导临床治疗用药,从而减少 NMO复发频率及延缓残疾     

甲酸转运蛋白FocA的分子结构揭示其是以五聚体形式存在的一个通道蛋白

FocA是甲酸-亚硝酸转运蛋白家族(FNT)的一个代表性成员,在细菌、古细菌、真菌、藻类和寄生虫中负责短链酸的转运。甲酸-亚硝酸转运蛋白家族中所有成员蛋白的分子结构和转运机制都是未知的。在这项工作中,我们解析了大肠杆菌中FocA蛋白的三维晶体结构,分辨率高达2.25。这个晶体结构显示,FocA构成了一个对称的五聚体,其中每个单体包含6个跨膜螺旋片段。而且,尽管FocA与水通道蛋白Aquaporin在序列上缺乏同源性,但它们的单体整体结构却异常相似。这些结果意味着FocA应该是一个跨膜通道蛋白,而不是此前认为的转运蛋白。进一步的结构分析识别出了通道中的重要氨基酸残基,明确了通道路径,并揭示了两个对通道起收紧作用的位点。但是与水通道蛋白Aqua-porin不同,FocA对水分子并没有通透性,却允许甲酸通过。在结构生物学和生物化学方面的进一步研究为阐明FocA的通道活性机理提供了重要线索。     

Identification and role of plasma membrane aquaporin in maize root

Using antiserum against expressed aquaporin fusion protein, GST-RD28, the distribution of aquaporin in the plasma membrane of maize root protoplasts has been examined under confocal laser scanning microscopy by indirect fluorescence staining. Results indicate that there are abundant aquaporins in maize roots, which are distributed in plasma membrane unevenly. Western blotting analysis of total protein solubilized from maize root plasma membrane shows that antiserum against GST-RD28 can cross-react with one protein around 55 Ku. Another 28 ku protein can also be detected when the concentration of SDS and DTT in SDS-PAGE sample buffer is increased. The 55 and 28 ku proteins may be dimeric and monomeric of aquaporin respectively. Functional experiments show that aquaporin blocker HgCl₂ and aquaporin antiserum can suppress the swelling of maize root protoplasts in hypotonic solution, indicating that aquaporin in plasma membrane of protoplast facilitates rapid transmembrane water flow.     

Isolation and expression of an aquaporin-like gene VfPIP1 in Vicia faba

Stomatalporesintheepidermisofplantleaves consistofapairofguardcells.Stomatalclosureor openinginfluencesphotosynthesisandtranspirationof plants.Watertransmembraneintooroutofguard cellscanleadtoturgorchangeandstomatalmove ment.Originally,peopletookitforgrantedthatthe waterphysicallypassesthroughthemembranebilay ersintooroutofcells.However,water transport ratebythepassageisverysmall.Thediscoveryof plantaquaporinsgivesanewideaforexploringthe regulationofwater transmembranemovementin stomatalmovem…     

Expression of aquaporin-1 in SMMC-7221 liver carcinoma cells promotes cell migration

Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane water channels that play pivotal roles in physiological and pathophysi- ological processes in diverse mammalian organs[1―3]. Recent studies indicated a novel role of AQPs in cell migration. Mice lacking AQP1, the endothelia…     

Isolation and expression of an aquaporin-like gene VfPIP1 in Vicia faba

To explore the effects of aquaporins on stomatal movement, we isolated a full length cDNA of aquaporin-like gene VfPIP1 (Vicia faba plasma membrane intrinsic protein gene, GenBank accession number: AY667436), which encodes for a 290-amino-acid polypeptide, from Vicia faba leaf epidermis by 5′3′ RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends). The analyses of VfPIP1 transmembrane regions and amino acid sequence show that VfPIP1 owns six membrane-spanning domains and the special plasma membrane signature sequences GGGANXXXXGY and TGITNPARSLFGAAIVIVFYN, and it should be a member of PIP1 subfamily. The results of in situ hybridization and Northern blot indicate that VfPIP1 is strongly expressed in guard cells and induced by ABA. Hereby, VfPIP1 may be involved in the water-transmembrane movement of guard cells.     

The renal plumbing system: aquaporin water channels

Aquaporins are channels that facilitate movement of water across lipid bilayers. They are expressed in multiple tissues and are essential for regulation of body water homeostasis. The kidney is the main organ responsible for this regulation, and at least seven aquaporins are expressed at distinct sites in the kidney. Aquaporin expression correlates with observed water permeability of each nephron segment: proximal tubule and descending thin limb of Henle have constitutive high water permeability due to expression of AQP1, whereas collecting duct water permeability is tightly regulated by the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin via regulation of AQP2. This review aims at providing insight into renal aquaporins, with special focus on AQP2.Received 9 December 2004; received after revision 8 April 2005; accepted 11 April 2005