AQP1 expression analysis in human diseases: implications for proteomic characterization

Expert Rev Proteomics. 2008 Feb;5(1):29-43. doi: 10.1586/14789450.5.1.29.

Abstract

Aquaporin (AQP)1 belongs to a ubiquitous family of water channel proteins characterized by sequence similarity and the presence of two NPA (Asp-Pro-Ala) motifs existing in almost all organs and tissues. Currently, 13 human AQPs are known and they are divided into two subgroups according to their ability to transport only water molecules, such as AQP1, or also glycerol and other small solutes. The genomic, structural and functional aspects of AQP1 are briefly described. An in-depth discussion is devoted to proteomic approaches that are useful for identifying and characterizing AQP1, mainly through electrophoretic techniques combined with different extraction procedures followed by mass spectrometry analysis. Moreover, the relevance of AQP1 in human diseases is also explained. Its role in human tumors and, in particular, those of the kidney (e.g., clear cell renal carcinoma) is discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Aquaporin 1 / analysis*
  • Aquaporin 1 / chemistry
  • Aquaporin 1 / genetics
  • Aquaporin 1 / physiology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / metabolism
  • Digestive System / metabolism
  • Electrophoresis / methods
  • Glycosylation
  • Humans
  • Kidney Cortex / chemistry
  • Kidney Diseases / metabolism
  • Kidney Diseases / pathology
  • Kidney Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Mammals
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neoplasm Proteins / analysis
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • Water / metabolism

Substances

  • AQP1 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Water
  • Aquaporin 1