Aquaporins and membrane diffusion of CO2 in living organisms

Background

Determination of CO₂ diffusion rates in living cells revealed inconsistencies with existing models about the mechanisms of membrane gas transport. Mainly, these discrepancies exist in the determined CO₂ diffusion rates of bio-membranes, which were orders of magnitudes below those for pure lipid bilayers or theoretical considerations as well as in the observation that membrane insertion of specific aquaporins was rescuing high CO₂ transport rates. This effect was confirmed by functional aquaporin protein analysis in heterologous expression systems as well as in bacteria, plants and partly in mammals.

Scope of Review

This review summarizes the arguments in favor of and against aquaporin facilitated membrane diffusion of CO₂ and reports about its importance for the physiology of living organisms.

Major Conclusions

Most likely, the aquaporin tetramer forming an additional fifth pore is required for CO₂ diffusion facilitation. Aquaporin tetramer formation, membrane integration and disintegration could provide a mechanism for regulation of cellular CO₂ exchange. The physiological importance of aquaporin mediated CO₂ membrane diffusion could be shown for plants and cyanobacteria and partly for mammals.

General Significance

Taking the mentioned results into account, consequences for our current picture of cell membrane transport emerge. It appears that in some or many instances, membranes might not be as permeable as it was suggested by current bio-membrane models, opening an additional way of controlling the cellular influx or efflux of volatile substances like CO₂. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Aquaporins.