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The presented work shows the analysis of the correlation between the spatial and temporal expression pattern of NtAQP1 and its function in water relation in planta. In situ immunological studies indicated NtAQP1-protein accumulation in the root exodermis and endodermis, in the cortex, close to vascular bundles, in the xylem parenchyma and in cells of the stomatal cavities. The aquaporin was also found to be abundant in longitudinal cell-rows in the petioles. Expression studies with generated transgenic plants (Ntaqp1-promoter::gus or luc) confirmed the Ntaqp1 accumulation in the root, stem and petioles but also revealed further localization in pollen grains, adventitious roots and leaf glandular hairs. Ntaqp1-expression was induced during growth processes, like stem bending after gravistimulation or photostimulation, seed germination and hypocotyl elongation as well as during the comparatively fast circadian leaf movement. The expression was further stimulated by phytohormones, especially gibberellic acid (GA) and osmotic stress. Further analysis displayed a diurnal and even circadian expression of Ntaqp1 in roots and petioles. The functional analysis of the aquaporin was accomplished by reverse genetics and biophysical studies. The antisense technique was used to reduce NtAQP1-expression in tobacco plants. The antisense (AS) plants exhibited a severe reduction of Ntaqp1-mRNA, less reduction of the highly homologous NtPIP1a RNA and no effect on expression of other aquaporin family genes (PIP2, TIP). The function of NtAQP1 at the cellular level was investigated by a newly developed experimental setup to record the osmotically induced increase in protoplast volume. The reduction of NtAQP1 by the antisense expression decreased the overall cellular waterpermeability Pos for more than 50 %. Function of NtAQP1 at the whole plant level was e.g. measured by the “high-pressure flow meter method”. Those measurements revealed that the root hydraulic conductivity per unit root surface area (KRA) of roots from the AS-lines was reduced by more than 50 %. KRA displayed a strong diurnal and circadian variation with a maximum in the middle of the light period, similar to the expression pattern of Ntaqp1 in roots. Gas exchange-, stem (Ystem) and leaf (Yleaf) water potential measurement gave dissimilar values in AS and control plants under well-watered conditions. Under a water-limiting environment the Y of AS-plants remained at more negative water values, even though a further decrease in transpiration of AS-plants was detected. Quantitative analysis displayed a much stronger wilting reaction in the AS than in the control plants. Quantitative studies of the leaf movement in AS compared to control plants exhibited a dramatic reduction in velocity and also in the extent of the process. The following conclusions can be drawn. NtAQP1 was expressed at sites of anticipated high water fluxes from and to the apoplast or symplast. Additionally, the specific distribution pattern and temporal expression of NtAQP1 in petioles and the bending stem strongly indicate a role in transcellular movement of water. The reduction of NtAQP1 by the antisense expression decreased the overall cellular Pos. Conclusively, NtAQP1-function increases membrane water permeability of tobacco root protoplasts. The decrease of the specific root hydraulic conductivity (KRA) was in the same order of magnitude as the mean cellular water permeability reduction, indicating that aquaporin expression is essential in maintaining a natural root hydraulic conductance. Reduction of KRA in AS plants might be the first definitive proof that the pathway of water uptake from the root surface to the xylem involves passage across membranes. The absence of NtAQP1 resulted in a water stress signal, causing a certain stomatal closure. NtAQP1 seems to contribute to water stress avoidance in tobacco. NtAQP1 plays an essential role in fast plant movements and transcellular water shift.