Aquaporins are a family of small integral membrane
proteins related to the major intrinsic protein (MIP or AQP0). This
gene encodes an aquaporin which functions as a molecular water
channel protein. It is a homotetramer with 6 bilayer spanning
domains and N-glycosylation sites. The protein physically resembles
channel proteins and is abundant in erythrocytes and renal tubes.
The gene encoding this aquaporin is a possible candidate for
disorders involving imbalance in ocular fluid movement. Several
transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for
this gene.
