Aquaglyceroporins and metalloid transport: Implications in human diseases Article

Mukhopadhyay, R, Bhattacharjee, H, Rosen, BP. (2009). Aquaglyceroporins and metalloid transport: Implications in human diseases . 190 309-325. 10.1007/978-3-540-79885-9_16

cited authors

  • Mukhopadhyay, R; Bhattacharjee, H; Rosen, BP

authors

abstract

  • Aquaglyceroporin (AQP) channels facilitate the diffusion of a wide range of neutral solutes, including water, glycerol, and other small uncharged solutes. More recently, AQPs have been shown to allow the passage of trivalent arsenic and antimony compounds. Arsenic and antimony are metalloid elements. At physiological pH, the trivalent metalloids behave as molecular mimics of glycerol, and are conducted through AQP channels. Arsenicals and antimonials are extremely toxic to cells. Despite their toxicity, both metalloids are used as chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer and protozoan parasitic diseases. The metalloid home-ostasis property of AQPs can be a mixed blessing. In some cases, AQPs form part of the detoxification pathway, and extrude metalloids from cells. In other instances, AQPs allow the transport of metalloids into cells, thereby conferring sensitivity. Understanding the factors that modulate AQP expression will aid in a better understanding of metalloid toxicity and also provide newer approaches to metalloid based chemotherapy. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

publication date

  • July 6, 2009

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 309

end page

  • 325

volume

  • 190