Analysis of publicly available datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas revealed that AQP1 expression was significantly decreased in CRC compared to normal mucosa (12.7 versus 33.3 respectively, P < 0.0001).
Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) has been proposed as a dual water and cation channel that when upregulated in cancers enhances cell migration rates; however, the mechanism remains unknown.
Aquaporin 1 (AQP1), which functions as a water transporter, is associated with cancer cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis in numerous types of solid cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC).
In conclusion, this study validates AQP1 as a pro-angiogenic protein, relevant for the therapy of cancer and other angiogenic-related diseases such as psoriasis, endometriosis, arthritis and atherosclerosis.
A possible candidate-gene for such variation is Aquaporin-1 (AQP1), since Aquaporin-1-expression influences the pathogenesis and outcome of various malignancies.