A Phaseolus vulgaris cDNA encoding a putative aquaporin

Abstract

The Major Intrinsic Protein (MIP) is a large family of integral membrane proteins with six putative transmembrane domains conserved throughout evolution. Members of this family have been identified in many organisms, ranging from bacteria to mammals. Functional data has been reported for some members of the different subfamilies (Chrispeels and Agre, 1994; Agre et al., 1995). There are MIPs that are thought to constitute relatively simple but selective channels for a variety of ions or small uncharged molecules.