Plant major intrinsic proteins. Identification and characterization of novel water channel-like protiens.
The Major Intrinsic Proteins, MIPs, constitute a large, ancient superfamily of membrane proteins that are found in all kingdoms of life. Most MIPs facilitate passive diffusion of water across biological membranes (aquaporins), although many channels are also permeable for glycerol and other small uncharged solutes, (aquaglyceroporins). Other substrates reported for specific MIPs are anions, carbon
