Recently a specific auto-antibody response has been found in patients with neuromyelitis optica, which is directed against the astrocytic water channel aquaporin 4. In experimental models these antibodies do not induce disease or lesions in the central nervous system, when present in the circulation of normal rats. However, when T-cell mediated inflammation is induced in such animals, circulati...

The atomic structures of a transmembrane water plus glycerol conducting channel (GlpF), and now of aquaporin Z (AqpZ) from the same species, Escherichia coli, bring the total to three atomic resolution structures in the aquaporin (AQP) family. Members of the AQP family each assemble as tetramers of four channels. Common helical axes support a wider channel in the glycerol plus water channel par...

Long-term cortisol infusion into freshwater (FW)-adapted eels induced a significant increase in aquaporin-1 (AQP1) mRNA expression within the esophageal epithelium of migratory "silver" eels, but not in nonmigratory, immature "yellow" eels. Cortisol treatment had no significant effect on the mRNA abundance of a second aquaporin-1 isoform, termed AQP1dup, which exhibited a highly variable expres...

Concentration of urine in mammals is regulated by the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin. Binding of vasopressin to its V2 receptor leads to the insertion of water channels in apical membranes of principal cells in collecting ducts. In nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), the kidney fails to concentrate urine in response to vasopressin. A male patient with an autosomal recessive form of NDI was ...

This paper investigates the mechanism of water transportation through aquaporin-4(AQP4) of ratbrain cells by means of molecular dynamics simulation with CHARMM software. The AQP4 wasembedded into a bilayer made of Dimystroilphosphatylcholine (DMPC). The results illustrate thatwater molecules move through AQP4's channel with change of orientation of oxygen of eachwater molecule.

Background: Among aflatoxins, the subtype aflatoxin G1 is one of the most toxic, commonly found in cereals, legumes, dairy and non-alcoholic beers. Aflatoxins have been known as nephrotoxic compounds. In this study, changes in the expression of aquaporin-1, the histopathology of renal tissue and plasma biochemical factors after exposure to aflatoxin G1 were investigated in mice. Methods: Twent...

Aquaporins are water facilitating proteins embedded in the cellular membranes. Such channels have been identified in almost every living organism – including humans. They are vital molecules and their malfunction can lead to several severe disorders. An increased understanding of their structure, function and regulation is of utmost importance for developing current and future drugs. The first ...

A 51-year-old woman was treated with multiple medications for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) over 20 years, including interferons and glatiramer, but continued to have recurrent attacks of optic neuritis and transverse myelitis, leading to bilateral blindness and triplegia. Even with MS-type lesions onMRI, neuromyelitis optica (NMO) was ultimately suspected and confirmed by detecti...