Aquaporin-3
Aquaporin-3 (AQP3)
Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the AQP3 gene. It is also known as aquaglyceroporin 3 due to its ability to transport not only water, but also glycerol and other small solutes.
Pronunciation
Aquaporin-3 is pronounced as /ˌækwəˈpɔːrɪn-3/
Etymology
The term "Aquaporin" is derived from the Latin words "aqua" meaning water, and "porin" meaning pore, referring to the protein's function as a water channel. The "-3" denotes that it is the third member of the Aquaporin family to be discovered.
Function
Aquaporin-3 is a membrane protein that forms pores in the cell membrane to facilitate the transport of water and certain small solutes such as glycerol. It is found in various tissues in the body, including the kidney, skin, and lung.
Clinical significance
Alterations in the expression or function of Aquaporin-3 can lead to various medical conditions. For example, reduced expression of AQP3 has been associated with diabetes insipidus, a condition characterized by excessive thirst and urination. On the other hand, overexpression of AQP3 has been linked to certain types of cancer, as it may promote tumor growth and metastasis.
Related terms
- Aquaporin: A family of membrane proteins that form pores in the cell membrane for water transport.
- Glycerol: A small solute that can be transported by Aquaporin-3.
- Membrane protein: A type of protein that is attached to, or associated with the membrane of a cell or an organelle.
- Gene: A unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Aquaporin-3
- Wikipedia's article - Aquaporin-3
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