Specific plasma membrane aquaporins of the PIP1 subfamily are expressed in sieve elements and guard cells
Background information. Transmembrane water flow is aided by water-specific channel proteins, aquaporins. Plant genomes code for approx. 35 expressed and functional aquaporin isoforms. Plant aquaporins fall into four different subfamilies of which the PIPS (plasma membrane intrinsic proteins) constitute the largest and evolutionarily most conserved subfamily with 13 members in Arabidopsis and maiz
