Aquaporins in peripheral nociception

Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane proteins that are mainly known as water channels for water transportation; however, in some cases small molecules such as glycerol, urea and ammonia can also be transported across plasma membranes through these channels [1]. Emerging evidence proposes that AQPs may also facilitate gas (e.g., carbon dioxide) and cation transport. Besides their role in the transportation of molecules, AQPs have also been implicated in the regulation of expression of other membrane proteins, cell adhesion and cell signaling [2]. Up to this point, 13 different mammalian AQPs have been identified (AQP0–12) [3]. Each member of this family is...