Fig. 11.

Predicted schema of mitochondrial dysfunction in AQP8-knocked down cells. In 3T3–L1 cells, AQP8 is localized in the mitochondrial membrane and is responsible for the efflux of water generated by oxidative phosphorylation. Its knockdown results in impaired mitochondrial water efflux and inhibits complex IV of the electron transfer system and ATP synthase, the steps in the ATP synthesizing pathway which yield water as a byproduct. The inhibition of complex IV results in reduced O₂ consumption, and the inhibition of ATP synthase, a consumer of the proton gradient, causes mitochondrial hyperpolarization.