Last update:
   06-Feb-2008
 

Arch Hellen Med, 24(6), November-December 2007, 568-572

BREIF REVIEW

The genetic deficiency of aquaporin 7 is implicated in the development of obesity

K. MARINOU,1,2 N. KATSILAMPROS1
11st Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Athens, "Laiko" Hospital, Athens, Greece,
2Oxford Center for Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

The understanding of the movement of water through cell membranes has been greatly advanced by the discovery of a family of water specific membrane plasma proteins, the aquaporins. Aquaporins are present at all levels of life from bacteria to humans. Á recently identified aquaporin, aquaporin 7, is known to permeabilize glycerol and has recently been implicated as a central agent in controlling fat metabolism.

Key words: Aquaporin 7, Aquaporins, Insulin resistance, Obesity.

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