AQP Recombinant Proteins 

AQP recombinant proteins represent synthetic forms of Aquaporins (AQPs), a family of transmembrane proteins that facilitate the transport of water and small solutes across biological membranes. These proteins play essential roles in maintaining water homeostasis, osmotic balance, and solute transport in various tissues. AQP recombinant proteins are widely used in structural, functional, and therapeutic research related to kidney diseases, cancer, brain edema, and metabolic disorders.

Technical Content

• Expression and Features:
  • Recombinant AQPs are typically expressed in mammalian systems (e.g., HEK293 cells) for correct folding and glycosylation.
  • E. coli systems are used for non-glycosylated AQP proteins, often in truncated or solubilized forms.
  • Tags such as His-tag or GST-tag are commonly used to simplify purification and downstream analysis.
• Purity and Validation:
  • High levels of purity (>90%) are ensured through affinity chromatography.
  • Structural validation via SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and mass spectrometry.
  • Functional validation includes assays to confirm water or solute transport activity.
• Stability and Solubility:
  • Stability in detergents or lipid bilayer environments mimics their native membrane context.
  • Often reconstituted into liposomes or nanodiscs for functional studies.

Applications of AQP Recombinant Proteins

• Water Transport Studies:
  • Understanding the mechanisms of water permeability and osmotic regulation.
  • Used in assays to characterize inhibitors targeting AQPs in conditions like brain edema and glaucoma.
• Kidney and Urological Research:
  • Investigating AQP2’s role in nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and its regulation by vasopressin.
  • AQP1 serves as a model for studying renal water reabsorption and its implications in diuretic therapies.
• Neurological Disorders:
  • AQP4 is a key target in research on neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and brain edema.
  • Facilitates development of monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors.
• Cancer Research:
  • AQPs like AQP1, AQP3, and AQP5 are studied for their role in tumor cell migration, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
  • Used in drug discovery pipelines targeting AQP-mediated pathways in cancer.

AQP recombinant proteins are invaluable tools for advancing our understanding of water and solute transport in physiological and pathological conditions. Their precise production and functional validation make them essential for drug discovery, structural biology, and translational research targeting a wide range of diseases. These proteins continue to shed light on the complex roles of aquaporins in human health and disease.