Functional characterization of a microbial aquaglyceroporin

A microbial aquaglyceroporin from Lactococcus lactis has been functionally characterized. Aquaglyceroporins are one class of major intrinsic proteins (MIPs), which make up a widespread membrane channel family required for osmotic cell equilibrium. Bacterial MIP genes are in archaea and in eubacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative. The MIP is permeable to glycerol and to water.