The long-term goal of this project is to elucidate the function of aquaporin water channels in Drosophila melanogaster.
The specific aims of this grant application are to: 1) Use mRNA in situ and immunohistochemistry to uncover the sites of action of putative aquaporins. 2) Determine the substrate specificity and pore permeability of putative Drosophila aquaporins. This will be accomplished by using the yeast vesicle expression system and stopped-flow fluorometry pioneered in the Brodsky and Zeidel laboratories and, if necessary, the more traditional Xenopus laevis egg-swelling assay. To further correlate function with location, in the future, loss of function alleles will be generated for candidates showing physiologically relevant water permeability and localization. Malpighian tubules from these flies will be tested in established water excretion assays. This work will further our understanding of the structure/function relationship for water channels, as well as our understanding of aquaporin function in maintaining osmotic homeostasis. This work is relevant not only to studies of mammalian renal function and Diabetes insipidus, but it will also help us understand insect water excretion, a prime target for controlling mosquito populations and the spread of malaria.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32DK065443-01
Application #
6693675
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F05 (20))
Program Officer
Rankin, Tracy L
Project Start
2003-09-29
Project End
2006-09-28
Budget Start
2003-09-29
Budget End
2004-09-28
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$46,420
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Kaufmann, Nancy; Mathai, John C; Hill, Warren G et al. (2005) Developmental expression and biophysical characterization of a Drosophila melanogaster aquaporin. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 289:C397-407