Expression and Emmprin Regulated Function of Aquaporin1 in SMMC7221 Cells

Herein lie the crosstalk and regulation between AQP1 and Emmprin in SMMC7221 cells by means of siRNA technology and deglycosylation method. Firstly, HAQP1, rather than hAQP3, was selectively upregulated in SMMC7221 cells by FBS, flollowed by the upregulated expression of Emmprin. Emmprin gene silencing caused a remarkable change in the expression of AQP1 gene, just like its downstream gene, MMP9, meanwhile the water permeability and cell migration were also descended prominently. Furthermore, when treated with tunicamycin, Emmprin was deglycosylated, which made the expression of AQP1 significantly declined, followed by remarkably decreased cell membrane water permeability and cell migration. Taken together, all the data indicates the expression level and the modification of Emmprin by glycosylation are the key factors in regulating the expression of AQP1.