Structure and function of water channels

Curr Opin Struct Biol. 2002 Aug;12(4):509-15. doi: 10.1016/s0959-440x(02)00355-x.

Abstract

All aquaporins are efficient water transporters, while sustaining strict selectivity, even against protons, thereby maintaining the proton gradient across the cell membrane. Recently solved structures of these membrane channels have helped us to understand this remarkable property.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aquaporins / chemistry*
  • Aquaporins / metabolism
  • Aquaporins / ultrastructure*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray*
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Chemical
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Water / chemistry*
  • Water / metabolism

Substances

  • Aquaporins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Water