Sandbox WWC4
From Proteopedia
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Aquaporin The water channel of the cell
This is a membrane proteins that control the amount of water that travels in and out of the cell. It was thought that water molecule just leaked through the phospholipid bilayer. Aquaporins allow water to flow rapidly to the inside of cell then it would by crossing the bilayer. This protein is highly selective to water molecules , preventing the passage of ions and other solutes.There are multiple types of aquaporins that can allow the transport of other molecules such as glycerol,CO2, ammonia and urea by aquaglyceroporin. It depends on the size of the pore; aquaporin 3 channel has a pore width of 8-10 Ångströms and allows the passage of hydrophilic molecules ranging between 150-200 Da. Aquaporins water channel are impermeable to protons and other charged species Water molecules traverse through the pore of the channel in single file. The presence of water channels increases membrane permeability to water.
Structure
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| Amino Terminus | Carboxy Terminus |
Alpha Helices,
Beta Strands ,
Loops ,
Turns.
