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Functional Role of Aquaporins in the Nervous System under Normal and Pathological Conditions

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Abstract—Aquaporins are transmembrane proteins. Their main function in the nervous system is water transport. Furthermore, some of them are capable of transporting glycerol, urea, and certain gases; they also take part in glial scar formation, astrocyte migration, and neurotransmission. Some data suggest that aquaporins are involved in the pathogenesis of brain edema and tumors, autoimmune processes, and paroxysmal conditions. In neuromyelitis optica, an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is a target for specific antibodies (AQP4-IgG). On this basis, aquaporins are considered therapeutic targets. The following review summarizes the existing data on their structure, normal functions, and role in the development of neurological diseases.

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Shchepareva, M.E., Zakharova, M.N. Functional Role of Aquaporins in the Nervous System under Normal and Pathological Conditions. Neurochem. J. 14, 1–8 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1819712420010171

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