Résumé
Aquaporins are membrane channels that facilitate the transport of water and small neutral molecules across biological membranes of most living organisms. Plant aquaporins constitute a large family of evolutionarily related channels showing a high diversity of cellular localisations, transport selectivity, and regulation properties. Plant aquaporins can transport various small solutes in addition to water, such as hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, urea, metalloids, gases and even ions, indicating a wide range of cellular functions. At the cellular level, plant aquaporins are subjected to various regulation mechanisms leading to active/inactive channels in their target membranes. Structure–function studies have been instrumental to address the molecular and cellular mechanisms of plant aquaporin gating and subcellular trafficking. We present our current knowledge on their co- and post-translational modifications and more specifically discuss the importance of lipidic environment in aquaporin function. Overall, the present chapter shows how the 25 years of research performed since the discovery of aquaporins has established their crucial role in plants