How two syntrophin proteins differently control water channel and cell connection proteins in the brain

Double knockout of α1- and β1-syntrophin leads to a downregulation of the novel AQP4 isoform AQP4ex and an increase in astrocytic gap junctions.

• Astrocytic AQP4 water channels and connexins are essential for maintaining brain water and ion balance.
• β1-syntrophin is coexpressed with α1-syntrophin in astrocytic membranes.
• The deletion of β1-syntrophin has limited effects on AQP4 and gap junctions.
• The absence of both α1- and β1-syntrophin significantly alters the expression of AQP4 isoforms.
• The findings suggest a role for syntrophins in the functional organization of brain astrocytes.

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