Molluscan aquaporins: an overview, with some notes on their role in the entry into aestivation in gastropods

ABSTRACT

The transport of water and small uncharged molecules across prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell membranes is supported by aquaporins. In spite of their importance, molluscan aquaporins have not been thoroughly explored. This is worth addressing since data concerning water channels in molluscs generally shed new light on aquaporins. Our analysis of these proteins revealed a novel composition of amino acids in the ar/R region, a unique group of aquaporins in phylogenetic relationships, and the impact of environmental conditions on water channels. Additionally, we present new research about changes in the expression level of Helix pomatia aquaporins during entry into the state of aestivation. Transcriptome expression patterns obtained for feet, kidneys, and intestines from active snails housed for 3, 7, 15, and 35 days without food or water confirm the importance of aquaporins in counteracting water stress.

KEYWORDS:

• Mollusca
• MIP family
• NPA motifs
• ar/R region
• aquaporin phylogeny
• aestivation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Ewa Kosicka http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7969-4153

Andrzej Lesicki http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1924-1934

Joanna R. Pieńkowska http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0372-121X

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Polish National Science Centre (Narodowe Centrum Nauki) [grant number NN 2011/01/B/NZ4/00630].