The Vascular Endothelium I

Abstract

The discovery of aquaporin (AQP) has had a great impact on life sciences.So far, 13 AQPs have been identified in human. AQP3, 7, 9, and 10are subcategorized as aquaglyceroporins which permeabilize glycerolas well as water. Many investigators have demonstrated that AQPsplay a crucial role in maintaining water homeostasis, but the physiologicalsignificance of some AQPs as a glycerol channel has not been fullyunderstood. Adipocyte is considered to be a major source of glycerolwhich is one of substrates for hepatic gluconeogenesis. This reviewfocuses on recent studies of glycerol metabolism through AQP7 andAQP9, and discusses the importance of glycerol channel in adiposetissues and liver.