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1329633 
Journal Article 
Review 
Aquaporins and glycerol metabolism 
Hibuse, T; Maeda, N; Nagasawa, A; Funahashi, T 
2006 
1 
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta
ISSN: 0006-3002
EISSN: 1878-2434 
1758 
8 
1004-1011 
English 
16487477 
WOS:000241272900005 
The discovery of aquaporin (AQP) has made a great impact on life sciences. AQPs are a family of homologous water channels widely distributed in plants, unicellular organisms, invertebrates, and vertebrates. So far, 13 AQPs have been identified in human. AQP3, 7, 9, and 10 are subcategorized as aquaglyceroporins which permeabilize glycerol as well as water. Many investigators have demonstrated that AQPs play a crucial role in maintaining water homeostasis, but the physiological significance of some AQPs as a glycerol channel is not fully understood. Adipose tissue is a major source of glycerol and glycerol is one of substrates for gluconeogenesis. This review focuses on recent studies of glycerol metabolism through aquaglyceroporins, and briefly discusses the importance of glycerol channel in adipose tissues and liver. 
aquaporin; adipocyte; glycerol; gluconeogenesis; obesity; lipolysis