title: How do P-type ATPases transport ions?
abstract: P-type ATPases are a large family of membrane proteins that perform active ion transport across biological membranes. In these proteins, the energy-providing ATP hydrolysis is coupled to ion transport of one or two ion species across the respective membrane. The pump function of the investigated pumps is described by a so-called Post-Albers cycle. Main features of the pumping process are (1) a Ping-Pong mechanism, i.e. both transported ion species are transferred successively and in opposite direction across the membrane, (2) the transport process for each ion species consists of a sequence of reaction steps, which are ion binding, ion occlusion, conformational transition of the protein, successive deocclusion of the ions and release to the other side of the membrane. (3) Recent experimental evidence shows that the ion-binding sites are placed in the transmembrane section of the proteins and that ion movements occur preferentially during the ion binding and release processes. The main features of the mechanism include narrow access channels from both sides, one gate per access channel, and an ion-binding moiety that is adapted specifically to the ions that are transported, and differently in both principal conformations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Fach M635, 78464 Konstanz, Germany. h-j.apell@uni-konstanz.de
authors.forename: Hans-Jürgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Apell
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D017506:H(+)-K(+)-Exchanging ATPase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000502:physiology*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000502:physiology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; D017506:H(+)-K(+)-Exchanging ATPase; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase