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Aquaporin

Meaning

Aquaporins are a family of small, highly conserved integral membrane proteins that form specialized, highly selective channels, facilitating the rapid, passive transport of water molecules across cellular lipid bilayers. These channels are absolutely essential for maintaining the precise volume and osmotic balance of cells in numerous tissues, playing a particularly critical role in renal function, glandular secretion, and central nervous system fluid homeostasis. Their functional activity is tightly regulated by various endocrine signals, underscoring the intimate connection between hormonal control and cellular hydration status.