Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620 024, India.
J Membr Biol. 2020 Apr;253(2):109-114. doi: 10.1007/s00232-020-00114-5. Epub 2020 Mar 26.
The transport of water and several other small molecules across cell membranes is vital in many of the processes underlying reproduction. Fluid transport in cells and tissues inclusive of male reproductive organs are regulated by disparate isoforms of aquaporins (AQPs) in living organisms. Alteration in the expression, function and/or regulation of AQPs leads to some forms of male subfertility and infertility. The emerging role of AQPs in male and female reproductive function has been revealed in recent times. However, the role of AQPs with reference to male reproductive system needs to be explored in greater detail. This review emphasizes the distribution of AQPs and their physiological and pathophysiological role in spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis; and understanding the molecular mechanisms behind AQPs mediated regulation of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis will help us in developing treatment strategies towards improved reproductive health.
水和其他几种小分子跨细胞膜的运输对许多生殖相关过程至关重要。包括男性生殖器官在内的细胞和组织中的流体运输是由生物体内不同的水通道蛋白（AQP）异构体调节的。AQP 的表达、功能和/或调节的改变会导致某些形式的男性不育和不孕。AQP 在男性和女性生殖功能中的作用最近才被揭示出来。然而，AQP 在男性生殖系统中的作用需要更详细地探讨。这篇综述强调了 AQP 的分布及其在精子发生和类固醇生成中的生理和病理生理作用；了解 AQP 介导的精子发生和类固醇生成调节背后的分子机制将有助于我们制定改善生殖健康的治疗策略。
