Involvement of aquaglyceroporins in energy metabolism in health and disease

Abstract

Aquaglyceroporins are a group of the aquaporin (AQP) family of transmembrane water channels. While AQPs facilitate the passage of water, small solutes, and gases across biological membranes, aquaglyceroporins allow passage of water, glycerol, urea and some other solutes. Thanks to their glycerol permeability, aquaglyceroporins are involved in energy homeostasis. This review provides an overview of what is currently known concerning the functional implication and control of aquaglyceroporins in tissues involved in energy metabolism, i.e. liver, adipose tissue and endocrine pancreas. The expression, role and (dys)regulation of aquaglyceroporins in disorders affecting energy metabolism, and the potential relevance of aquaglyceroporins as drug targets to treat the alterations of the energy balance is also addressed.

The Multifaceted Role of Aquaporin-9 in Health and Its Potential as a Clinical Biomarker

“…The aquaglyceroporin AQP9 is the main glycerol channel in hepatocytes involved in fat synthesis and gluconeogenesis, regulating body energy homeostasis [ 27 ]. Leukocytes are another major site of expression for this AQP.…”

Is Arsenic Exposure a Risk Factor for Metabolic Syndrome? A Review of the Potential Mechanisms

“…AQP7 and AQP9 are mainly expressed in the adipose tissue and the liver, respectively ( 212 ). In these tissues, AQP7 and AQP9 participate in glycerol transport and participate in the development of insulin resistance ( 212 , 213 ). Also, AQP7 is expressed in normal and tumoral pancreatic β-cells, and the existing data suggest that it plays a role in GSIS ( 214 , 215 ).…”

Insight into the Mammalian Aquaporin Interactome

“…AQP3 is an aquaglyceroporin expressed in various sites within the body, including respiratory and digestive tracts, kidney, skin, and adipose tissue [ 93 , 94 ]. AQP3 is involved in upper or lower airway humidification [ 95 , 96 ], intestinal water reabsorption and the maintenance of intestinal epithelial barrier function [ 97 ] and urine concentration by the kidneys [ 98 ].…”

“…In addition, in the skin, AQP3 plays a role in cell migration and proliferation, epidermal water permeability barrier and skin hydration [ 99 , 100 ]. In adipose tissue, AQP3 could contribute to glycerol permeability and the exit of glycerol during lipolysis [ 94 , 101 ].…”