What is Aquaporin & What Do Aquaporins Do?
Aquaporins are transmembrane proteins that form water channels to allow water to be actively transported across the cell membrane. Water is kept out of cells by lipid bilayers, and so, it relies on Aquaporin water channels to act as an open gateway that allows entry into our cells. The most common type of Aquaporin in the skin is Aquaporin-3 which is known to help transport water from the skin’s surface into skin cells.
Before Aquaporin was discovered in 1992, it was widely believed that water could only travel from cell to cell via osmosis; however, scientists learnt more about Aquaporin and water transport after recognising its ability to regulate the flow of water.
The role of Aquaporin is key to cell function. Our cells require water to function healthily, but our cell membranes only have a limited permeability to water. To maintain optimal water levels, Aquaporin water channels facilitate the movement of large amounts of water, transporting it through cell membranes and plasma membranes to ensure our cells have plenty of water, helping to prevent water loss.