In this chapter, we mainly discuss the expression and function of aquaporins (AQPs) expressed in digestive system. AQPs are highly conserved transmembrane protein responsible for water transport across cell membranes. AQPs in gastrointestinal tract include four members of aquaporin subfamily: AQP1, AQP4, AQP5, and AQP8, and three members of aquaglyceroporin subfamily: AQP3, AQP7, and AQP10. In the digestive glands, especially the liver, we discuss four members of aquaporin subfamily: AQP1, AQP4, AQP5, and AQP8, three members of aquaglyceroporin subfamily: AQP7, AQP9, and AQP12. In digestive system, the abnormal expression of AQPs is closely related to the occurrence and development of a variety of diseases. AQP1 is involved in saliva secretion and fat digestion and is closely related to gastric cancer and chronic liver disease; AQP3 is involved in the diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease; AQP4 regulates gastric acid secretion and is associated with the development of gastric cancer; AQP5 is relevant to gastric carcinoma cell proliferation and migration; AQP7 is the major aquaglyceroporin in pancreatic β cells; AQP8 plays a role in pancreatic juice secretion and may be a potential target for the treatment of diarrhea; AQP9 plays considerable role in glycerol metabolism and hepatocellular carcinoma; Studies on the function of AQP10 and AQP12 are still limited. Further studies are necessary for specific locations and functions of AQPs in digestive system.
Keywords: Aquaporins; Diabetes; Digestive system; Gastrointestinal tract; Glycerol metabolism; Water electrolyte balance.
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