Study of Rules and Functions with Aquaporin 0

Abstract

Aquaporin 0 (AQP0), a lens-specific protein that is a member of the aquaporin family, comprises more than 60% of the lens fiber cell membrane protein. It has been reported that AQP0 permeates water much slower than other members of the aquaporin family, and that it has the function of cell-to-cell adhesion. The results of this study show that AQP0 permeated ascorbic acid in both in vivo and in vitro experiments, and that there was a difference of permeability between the import and export of ascorbic acid via this channel. These findings suggest that AQP0 in the lens plays an important role in controlling the ascorbic acid permeation, and that this function may be responsible for maintaining the transparency of the lens.