Background: Aquaporins are membrane channels that facilitate the transport of water and small neutral
molecules across biological membranes of most living organisms.
Scope of review: Here, we present comprehensive insights made on plant aquaporins in recent years, pointing to
their molecular and physiological specificities with respect to animal or microbial counterparts.
Major conclusions: In plants, aquaporins occur as multiple isoforms reflecting a high diversity of cellular
localizations and various physiological substrates in addition to water. Of particular relevance for plants is the
transport by aquaporins of dissolved gases such as carbon dioxide or metalloids such as boric or silicic acid.
The mechanisms that determine the gating and subcellular localization of plant aquaporins are extensively
studied. They allow aquaporin regulation in response to multiple environmental and hormonal stimuli. Thus,
aquaporins play key roles in hydraulic regulation and nutrient transport in roots and leaves. They contribute to
several plant growth and developmental processes such as seed germination or emergence of lateral roots.
General significance: Plants with genetically altered aquaporin functions are now tested for their ability to
improve plant resistance to stresses. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Aquaporins.