Aquaglyceroporins: generalized metalloid channels.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Aquaporins (AQPs), members of a superfamily of transmembrane channel proteins, are ubiquitous in all domains of life. They fall into a number of branches that can be functionally categorized into two major sub-groups: i) orthodox aquaporins, which are water-specific channels, and ii) aquaglyceroporins, which allow the transport of water, non-polar solutes, such as urea or glycerol, the reactive oxygen species hydrogen peroxide, and gases such as ammonia, carbon dioxide and nitric oxide and, as described in this review, metalloids.

Scope of review

This review summarizes the key findings that AQP channels conduct bidirectional movement of metalloids into and out of cells.

Major conclusions

As(OH)3 and Sb(OH)3 behave as inorganic molecular mimics of glycerol,

SUBMITTER: Mukhopadhyay R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3960311 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature