Liao Shengtao, Gan Li, Lv Lin, Mei Zhechuan
Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, PR China.
Teaching and Research Section of Forensic Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China.
Genes Dis. 2020 Jan 8;8(3):250-258. doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2019.12.011. eCollection 2021 May.
Aquaporins (AQPs) are highly conserved small transmembrane proteins, which are responsible for the water transport across the cell membrane. AQPs are abundantly expressed in numerous types of cells such as epithelial and endothelial cells. The expression of AQP-1, -3, -4, -5, -8 and -9 were found in the digestive system, where these six AQP isoforms serve essential roles including mediating the transmembrane water transport and regulating the secretion of gastrointestinal (GI) fluids, consequently facilitating the digestion and absorption of GI contents. In addition, the expression levels of AQPs are controlled by various factors, and AQPs can stimulate numerous signaling pathways; however, aberrant expression of AQPs in the GI tracts are associated with the initiation and development of numerous diseases. Thus, this review provides an overview of the expression and functions of AQPs in the digestive system.
水通道蛋白（AQPs）是高度保守的小跨膜蛋白，负责细胞膜的水转运。AQPs在多种类型的细胞中大量表达，如上皮细胞和内皮细胞。在消化系统中发现了水通道蛋白-1、-3、-4、-5、-8和-9的表达，这六种水通道蛋白亚型发挥着重要作用，包括介导跨膜水转运和调节胃肠液分泌，从而促进胃肠道内容物的消化和吸收。此外，水通道蛋白的表达水平受多种因素控制，并且水通道蛋白可以刺激多种信号通路；然而，胃肠道中水通道蛋白的异常表达与多种疾病的发生和发展有关。因此，本综述概述了水通道蛋白在消化系统中的表达和功能。
