水通道蛋白-9在肝脏的表达及其意义

Expression and significance of aquaporin-9 in the liver

水通道蛋白-9(aquaporin-9,AQP9)是一种在肝组织中表达的跨膜转运蛋白。肝组织细胞内AQP9定位于细胞质膜。AQP9除可通透水,还可以通透甘油、尿素等其他多种小分子。大量研究证明AQP9参与肝组织多种生理和病理过程。AQP9在肝脏上的表达对肝脏生理和病理过程有多种影响,肝脏AQP9的研究可为肝脏疾病的诊断和治疗提供新的靶点。

Aquaporin-9(AQP9) is a membrane-span transport protein expressed in the liver. It is located in the cytoplasm membrane of hepatic cells. In addition to water, it is also permeable to glycerol, urea, and other small solutes. Several evidences have revealed that AQP9 is involved in multiple physiological and pathological process of the liver. This paper summarized the expression of AQP9 in the liver and the effect on the physiological and pathological processes of the liver. AQP9 may be defined as a novel target for diagnosis and treatment of hepatic diseases.