Aquaporins: Dynamic Role and Regulations

Dear Colleagues,

Water is the major component of cells and tissues. The movement of water across the cell membrane is a fundamental property of life. Until the discovery of the first water channel, aquaporin 1, it was long assumed that the transportation of water occurs by simple diffusion through the lipid bilayer membrane. Aquaporins (AQP) were first discovered in the human erythrocytes in 1987 by Peter Agree and collaborators. From then, and until now, several studies elucidated signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms that control the trafficking and function of aquaporins. Aquaporins are involved in a wide range of physiologic processes in diverse tissues. Therefore, abnormal function and trafficking can promote several diseases.

Thus, the goal of the present Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive overview of the most recent advances in aquaporins molecular mechanisms, their versatile role, and different regulatory pathways, with a specific focus on how these advances in our understanding of the water channels are translated into novel therapeutic approaches. 

We invite leading experts as well as young researchers in the aquaporins field to present their most recent findings in basic and translational research on aquaporins’ functions and novel targeted therapies.

Dr. Marianna Ranieri
Dr. Grazia Tamma
Guest Editors

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