Renal aquaporin water channels: from molecules to human disease

Following the discovery of the aquaporin-1 water channel in 1991, molecular techniques have been developed to examine the roles of renal aquaporins-1, -2, -3, and -4 in disorders of water balance. This article reviews current knowledge regarding aquaporin function and dysfunction in water-losing and water-retaining states.     

Voltage-regulated water flux through aquaporin channels in silico

Aquaporins (AQPs) facilitate the passive flux of water across biological membranes in response to an osmotic pressure. A number of AQPs, for instance in plants and yeast, have been proposed to be regulated by phosphorylation, cation concentration, pH change, or membrane-mediated mechanical stress. Here we report an extensive set of molecular dynamics simulations of AQP1 and AQP4 subject to large membrane potentials in the range of ±1.5 V, suggesting that AQPs may in addition be regulated by an electrostatic potential. As the regulatory mechanism we identified the relative population of two different states of the conserved arginine in the aromatic/arginine constriction region. A positive membrane potential was found to stabilize the arginine in an up-state, which allows rapid water flux, whereas a negative potential favors a down-state, which reduces the single-channel water permeability.     

Possible functional implications of aquaporin water channels in reproductive physiology and medically assisted procreation.

Spermatogenesis, the maturation of spermatozoa and their concentration and storage in the seminiferous vessels are associated with considerable fluid secretion or absorption in the male reproductive tract. These fluid movements are in total agreement with the presence of multiple aquaporin (AQP) water channel proteins in germ cells and other tissues within the male reproductive tract. A series of functions of prime importance have already been hypothesized for aquaporins in the physiology of male reproduction. Aquaporins could be involved in the early stages of spermatogenesis, in the secretion of tubular liquid and in the concentration and storage of spermatozoa in the epididymis. In the male reproductive tract, alterations in the expression and functionality and/or regulation of aquaporins have already been demonstrated to be at the basis of forms of male infertility. Indeed, rats with reduced reabsorption of seminiferous fluid in the efferent ducts have been shown to be sub-fertile or infertile. Functions have also been suggested in the fertilization process, where aquaporins may play a role in maintaining osmotic homeostasis in gametes during fertilization. Aquaporins have also been suggested to mediate water movement into antral follicles and to be the pathway for transtrophectodermal water movement during cavitation. Aquaporins are the subject of considerable technological interest for cryopreservation used in medically assisted procreation, as they could be the molecular pathway by which water and/or solutes move across the plasma membrane during the process of freezing/thawing gametes and embryos. Indeed, artificial expression ofAQP3 has been showed to improve the survival of mouse oocytes after cryopreservation.     

Expression of aquaporin 1 and aquaporin 4 water channels in rat choroid plexus

The role of aquaporins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) secretion was investigated in this study. Western analysis and immunocytochemistry were used to examine the expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the rat choroid plexus epithelium. Western analyses were performed on a membrane fraction that was enriched in Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and AE2, marker proteins for the apical and basolateral membranes of the choroid plexus epithelium, respectively. The AQP1 antibody detected peptides with molecular masses of 27 and 32 kDa in fourth and lateral ventricle choroid plexus. A single peptide of 29 kDa was identified by the AQP4 antibody in fourth and lateral ventricle choroid plexus. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that AQP1 is expressed in the apical membrane of both lateral and fourth ventricle choroid plexus epithelial cells. The immunofluorescence signal with the AQP4 antibody was diffusely distributed throughout the cytoplasm, and there was no evidence for AQP4 expression in either the apical or basolateral membrane of the epithelial cells. The data suggest that AQP1 contributes to water transport across the apical membrane of the choroid plexus epithelium during CSF secretion. The route by which water crosses the basolateral membrane, however, remains to be determined.     

Expression of aquaporin 1 and aquaporin 4 water channels in rat choroid plexus

The role of aquaporins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) secretion was investigated in this study. Western analysis and immunocytochemistry were used to examine the expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the rat choroid plexus epithelium. Western analyses were performed on a membrane fraction that was enriched in Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and AE2, marker proteins for the apical and basolateral membranes of the choroid plexus epithelium, respectively. The AQP1 antibody detected peptides with molecular masses of 27 and 32 kDa in fourth and lateral ventricle choroid plexus. A single peptide of 29 kDa was identified by the AQP4 antibody in fourth and lateral ventricle choroid plexus. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that AQP1 is expressed in the apical membrane of both lateral and fourth ventricle choroid plexus epithelial cells. The immunofluorescence signal with the AQP4 antibody was diffusely distributed throughout the cytoplasm, and there was no evidence for AQP4 expression in either the apical or basolateral membrane of the epithelial cells. The data suggest that AQP1 contributes to water transport across the apical membrane of the choroid plexus epithelium during CSF secretion. The route by which water crosses the basolateral membrane, however, remains to be determined.     

Electrostatic tuning of permeation and selectivity in aquaporin water channels

Water permeation and electrostatic interactions between water and channel are investigated in the Escherichia coli glycerol uptake facilitator GlpF, a member of the aquaporin water channel family, by molecular dynamics simulations. A tetrameric model of the channel embedded in a 16:0/18:1c9-palmitoyloleylphosphatidylethanolamine membrane was used for the simulations. During the simulations, water molecules pass through the channel in single file. The movement of the single file water molecules through the channel is concerted, and we show that it can be described by a continuous-time random-walk model. The integrity of the single file remains intact during the permeation, indicating that a disrupted water chain is unlikely to be the mechanism of proton exclusion in aquaporins. Specific hydrogen bonds between permeating water and protein at the channel center (at two conserved Asp-Pro-Ala "NPA" motifs), together with the protein electrostatic fields enforce a bipolar water configuration inside the channel with dipole inversion at the NPA motifs. At the NPA motifs water-protein electrostatic interactions facilitate this inversion. Furthermore, water-water electrostatic interactions are in all regions inside the channel stronger than water-protein interactions, except near a conserved, positively charged Arg residue. We find that variations of the protein electrostatic field through the channel, owing to preserved structural features, completely explain the bipolar orientation of water. This orientation persists despite water translocation in single file and blocks proton transport. Furthermore, we find that for permeation of a cation, ion-protein electrostatic interactions are more unfavorable at the conserved NPA motifs than at the conserved Arg, suggesting that the major barrier against proton transport in aquaporins is faced at the NPA motifs.     

Expression and immunolocalization of aquaporin water channels in rat exocrine pancreas

Both the acinar and ductal cells of the pancreas secrete a near-isotonic fluid and may thus be sites of aquaporin (AQP) water channel expression. Northern blot analysis of mRNA from whole rat pancreas revealed high levels of AQP1 and AQP8 expression, whereas lower levels of AQP4 and AQP5 expression were just detectable by RT-PCR Southern blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry showed that AQP1 is localized in the microvasculature, whereas AQP8 is confined to the apical pole of the acinar cells. No labeling of acinar, ductal, or vascular tissue was detected with antibodies to AQP2-7. With immunoelectron microscopy, AQP8 labeling was observed not only at the apical membrane of the acinar cells but also among small intracellular vesicles in the subapical cytoplasm, suggesting that there may be regulated trafficking of AQP8 to the apical plasma membrane. To evaluate the contribution of AQPs to the membrane water permeability, video microscopy was used to measure the swelling of acinar cells in response to hypotonic stress. Osmotic water permeability was reduced by 90% following exposure to Hg(2+). Since AQP8 is confined to the apical membrane, the marked effect of Hg(2+) suggests that other water channels may be expressed in the basolateral membrane.     

Current knowledge of hagfish reproduction: implications for fisheries management

This review briefly summarizes the latest findings on reproductiveendocrinology of Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) and implicationsfor fisheries management. In response to a major decline orcollapse of the fisheries (groundfish and anadromous species)industry in the Northeast, species that were once consideredalternative or underutilized have and are being identified thatmay be suitable for commercial harvest, one such example isthe hagfish. Hagfish in recent years have been sought afteras valuable fish not only for their flesh, but also their skin.Currently, there are no regulations governing the harvestingof hagfish along the East Coast. There has been little to noinformation of the life history of hagfish including growthrate, age determination, reproductive biology, life span, andlarval size at hatching. Thus, the level at which a sustainablefisheries for this species can be maintained is unknown. Insome parts of the world, hagfish stocks are being depleted dueto overfishing. In order for fisheries management to manageits hagfish stocks and develop a sustainable commercial hagfishfishery, critical information is needed to assist in determiningthe optimal use of this valuable resource. Key elements of the reproductive system have not been elucidatedin hagfish. However, there is new evidence from recent reproductivestudies that Atlantic hagfish may have a seasonal reproductivecycle. These data include seasonal changes in gonadotropin-releasinghormone (GnRH), gonadal steroids, estradiol and progesterone,corresponding to gonadal reproductive stages along with theputative identity of a functional corpus luteum. This newlyacquired data may provide important information to fisheriesmanagers of the East Coast.     

Structure, function and translational relevance of aquaporin dual water and ion channels

Aquaporins have been assumed to be selective for water alone, and aquaglyceroporins are accepted as carrying water and small uncharged solutes including glycerol. This review presents an expanded view of aquaporins as channels with more complex mechanisms of regulation and diverse repertoires of substrate permeabilities than were originally appreciated in the early establishment of the field. The role of aquaporins as dual water and gated ion channels is likely to have physiological and potentially translational relevance, and can be evaluated with newly developed molecular and pharmacological tools. Ion channel activity has been shown for Aquaporins -0, -1, and -6, Drosphila Big Brain, and plant Nodulin-26. Although the concept of ion channel function in aquaporins remains controversial, research advances are beginning to define not only the ion channel function but also the detailed molecular mechanisms that govern and mediate the multifunctional capabilities. With regard to physiological relevance, the adaptive benefit of expression of ion channel activity in aquaporins, implied by amino acid sequence conservation of the ion channel gating domains, suggests they provide more than water or glycerol and solute transport. Dual ion and water channels are of interest for understanding the modulation of transmembrane fluid gradients, volume regulation, and possible signal transduction in tissues expressing classes of aquaporins that have the dual function capability. Other aquaporin classes might be found in future work to have ion channel activities, pending identification of the possible signaling pathways that could govern activation.     

The role of aquaporin water channels in fluid secretion by the exocrine pancreas

The mammalian exocrine pancreas secretes a near-isosmotic fluid over a wide osmolarity range. The role of aquaporin (AQP) water channels in this process is now becoming clearer. AQP8 water channels, which were initially cloned from rat pancreas, are expressed at the apical membrane of pancreatic acinar cells and contribute to their osmotic permeability. However, the acinar cells secrete relatively little fluid and there is no obvious defect in pancreatic function in AQP8 knockout mice. Most of the fluid secreted by the pancreas is generated by ductal epithelial cells, which comprise only a small fraction of the gland mass. In the human pancreas, secretion occurs mainly in the intercalated ducts, where the epithelial cells express abundant AQP1 and AQP5 at the apical membrane and AQP1 alone at the basolateral membrane. In the rat and mouse, fluid secretion occurs mainly in the interlobular ducts where AQP1 and AQP5 are again co-localized at the apical membrane but appear to be expressed at relatively low levels. Nonetheless, the transepithelial osmotic permeability of rat interlobular ducts is sufficient to support near-isosmotic fluid secretion at observed rates. Furthermore, apical, but not basolateral, application of Hg²⁺ significantly reduces the transepithelial osmotic permeability, suggesting that apical AQP1 and AQP5 may contribute significantly to fluid secretion. The apparently normal fluid output of the pancreas in AQP1 knockout mice may reflect the presence of AQP5 at the apical membrane.     

Selectivity and conductance among the glycerol and water conducting aquaporin family of channels

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 paradigm, GlpF. Water molecules form a single hydrogen bonded file throughout the 28 A long channel in AqpZ. The basis for absolute exclusion of proton or hydronium ion conductance through the line of water is explored using simulations.     

Effect of mineralocorticoid deficiency on ion and urea transporters and aquaporin water channels in the rat

Mineralocorticoid deficiency is associated with impaired urinary concentration and dilution. The present investigation was undertaken to determine the effects of selective mineralocorticoid deficiency on renal sodium and urea transporters and aquaporin water channels and whether these perturbations can be reversed by maintenance of extracellular fluid volume. Mineralocorticoid deficiency was induced by bilateral adrenalectomies with glucocorticoid replacement. Mineralocorticoid deficient rats receiving plain drinking water (MDW) were compared with mineralocorticoid deficient rats receiving saline-drinking water (MDS) in order to maintain extracellular fluid volume, and with controls (CTL). In MDW rats, there was a significant decrease in renal outer medulla Na-K-2Cl co-transporter and outer medulla Na-K-ATPase as well as an increase in inner medulla aquaporins 2 and 3. There were no significant changes in aquaporin-1, aquaporin-4, or urea transporters. These alterations were reversed with maintenance of extracellular fluid volume in MDS rats. Our findings indicate that mineralocorticoid deficiency in the rat is associated with alterations in factors involved in the countercurrent concentrating mechanism (Na-K-2Cl, Na-K-ATPase) and osmotic water equilibration in the collecting duct (AQP2, AQP3). Maintenance of sodium balance and extracellular fluid volume is associated with normalization of these perturbations.     

Charge delocalization in proton channels, I: the aquaporin channels and proton blockage

The explicit contribution to the free energy barrier and proton conductance from the delocalized nature of the excess proton is examined in aquaporin channels using an accurate all-atom molecular dynamics computer simulation model. In particular, the channel permeation free energy profiles are calculated and compared for both a delocalized (fully Grotthuss shuttling) proton and a classical (nonshuttling) hydronium ion along two aquaporin channels, Aqp1 and GlpF. To elucidate the effects of the bipolar field thought to arise from two alpha-helical macrodipoles on proton blockage, free energy profiles were also calculated for computational mutants of the two channels where the bipolar field was eliminated by artificially discharging the backbone atoms. Comparison of the free energy profiles between the proton and hydronium cases indicates that the magnitude of the free energy barrier and position of the barrier peak for the fully delocalized and shuttling proton are somewhat different from the case of the (localized) classical hydronium. The proton conductance through the two aquaporin channels is also estimated using Poisson-Nernst-Planck theory for both the Grotthuss shuttling excess proton and the classical hydronium cation.     

Current knowledge of gene flow in plants: implications for transgene flow

Plant evolutionary biologists' view of gene flow and hybridization has undergone a revolution. Twenty-five years ago, both were considered rare and largely inconsequential. Now gene flow and hybridization are known to be idiosyncratic, varying with the specific populations involved. Gene flow typically occurs at evolutionarily significant rates and at significant distances. Spontaneous hybridization occasionally has important applied consequences, such as stimulating the evolution of more aggressive invasives and increasing the extinction risk for rare species. The same problems have occurred for spontaneous hybridization between crops and their wild relatives. These new data have implications for transgenic crops: (i) for most crops, gene flow can act to introduce engineered genes into wild populations; (ii) depending on the specific engineered gene(s) and populations involved, gene flow may have the same negative impacts as those observed for traditionally improved crops; (iii) gene flow's idiosyncratic nature may frustrate management and monitoring attempts; and (iv) intercrop transgene flow, although rarely discussed, is equally worthy of study.     

Rapid aquaporin translocation regulates cellular water flow: mechanism of hypotonicity-induced subcellular localization of aquaporin 1 water channel

The control of cellular water flow is mediated by the aquaporin (AQP) family of membrane proteins. The structural features of the family and the mechanism of selective water passage through the AQP pore are established, but there remains a gap in our knowledge of how water transport is regulated. Two broad possibilities exist. One is controlling the passage of water through the AQP pore, but this only has been observed as a phenomenon in some plant and microbial AQPs. An alternative is controlling the number of AQPs in the cell membrane. Here, we describe a novel pathway in mammalian cells whereby a hypotonic stimulus directly induces intracellular calcium elevations through transient receptor potential channels, which trigger AQP1 translocation. This translocation, which has a direct role in cell volume regulation, occurs within 30 s and is dependent on calmodulin activation and phosphorylation of AQP1 at two threonine residues by protein kinase C. This direct mechanism provides a rationale for the changes in water transport that are required in response to constantly changing local cellular water availability. Moreover, because calcium is a pluripotent and ubiquitous second messenger in biological systems, the discovery of its role in the regulation of AQP translocation has ramifications for diverse physiological and pathophysiological processes, as well as providing an explanation for the rapid regulation of water flow that is necessary for cell homeostasis.     

Ion transport proteins and aquaporin water channels in the kidney of amphibians from different habitats

Amphibians are known to spend part of their life on land and return to water to reproduce. However, some urodeles spend their entire life in water, while others succeed in completely avoiding water even during reproduction. Osmoregulatory mechanisms must therefore be different in the diverse environmental conditions of their respective life histories. The architecture of the kidney is similar in all amphibians; as a consequence the ion-water equilibrium must be regulated in the different environmental conditions. We investigated the immunolocalisation of Na(+)/K(+)/Cl(-) cotransport proteins, sodium pump and water-channel proteins (aquaporins) in aquatic Amphiuma means means, Rana dalmatina, a species that returns to water to reproduce, and Speleomantes genei, a completely terrestrial species. The investigation was carried out with immunohistochemical methods using antibodies to Na(+)/K(+)/Cl(-) cotransport protein NKCC1 T4, Na(+)/K(+)ATPase alpha-subunit, water-channel aquaporin 3 and the inner mitochondrial membrane (AMA). Cotransport proteins and sodium pump, involved in ion reabsorption, are widely distributed in A. means and R. dalmatina and confined to the distal segment in S. genei; conversely water channels, involved in water reabsorption, are limited to the collecting duct in A. means and R. dalmatina and distributed in the proximal and collecting ducts in S. genei.