AQP3
AQP3 (aquaporin 3, GIL) is a plasma membrane channel of the MIP/aquaporin family that carries water and glycerol across cells along their osmotic gradient. It is classed as an aquaglyceroporin and is also a blood group antigen. Browse Assay Genie's current range of AQP3 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
AQP3 belongs to the aquaglyceroporins, which form homotetrameric transmembrane channels. Each monomer independently mediates the transport of glycerol and water across the plasma membrane along their osmotic gradient. The protein could also be permeable to urea, and it participates in cell permeability to H2O2 and in H2O2-mediated signalling.
In skin, AQP3 transports glycerol to the epidermis and stratum corneum, where it maintains hydration and elasticity and supports lipid biosynthesis for barrier repair. In the kidney, it contributes to the reabsorption of water and so helps the body maintain proper fluid balance. The NCBI Gene summary places aquaporin 3 at the basal lateral membranes of collecting duct cells in the kidney, in line with its UniProt annotation to the basolateral cell membrane. Besides its water channel function, it facilitates the transport of nonionic small solutes such as urea and glycerol, but to a smaller degree. It has been suggested that water channels can be functionally heterogeneous and possess both water and solute permeation mechanisms.
The AQP3 gene encodes a small integral membrane protein related to the major intrinsic protein, also known as aquaporin 0. HGNC lists it in the aquaporin and blood group antigen gene groups, with the alias GIL and the previous name aquaporin 3 (GIL blood group). Alternative splicing of the gene results in multiple transcript variants that encode different isoforms. Mouse and rat each have an Aqp3 ortholog.
AQP3 transports glycerol to the epidermis and stratum corneum, supporting hydration, elasticity and lipid biosynthesis for barrier repair.
AQP3 sits at the basolateral membrane of collecting duct cells and contributes to water reabsorption and fluid balance.
As an aquaglyceroporin, AQP3 passes water and glycerol, and possibly urea, which makes it a model for solute and water permeation mechanisms.
AQP3 contributes to cell permeability to H2O2 and to H2O2-mediated signalling, linking channel activity to cellular redox responses.
AQP3 forms homotetrameric channels in which each monomer independently transports water and glycerol across the plasma membrane along their osmotic gradient. It may also pass urea and H2O2. In skin it supports hydration and barrier repair, and in kidney it contributes to water reabsorption.
The HGNC name is aquaporin 3 (Gill blood group). The alias is GIL, and earlier names were aquaporin 3 and aquaporin 3 (GIL blood group). UniProt names the protein Aquaporin-3. Alternative splicing of the gene gives multiple transcript variants that encode different isoforms.
Mouse and rat both have an Aqp3 ortholog, so the gene can be studied in common rodent models. AQP3 belongs to the wider MIP/aquaporin family, which includes aquaporin 0 as the founding major intrinsic protein. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other aquaporin family members involved in water and solute transport, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q92482; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.