Sensors and regulators of intracellular pH.
Protons dictate the charge and structure of macromolecules and are used as energy currency by eukaryotic cells. The unique function of individual organelles therefore depends on the establishment and stringent maintenance of a distinct pH. This, in turn, requires a means to sense the prevailing pH and to respond to deviations from the norm with effective mechanisms to transport, produce or consume proton equivalents. A dynamic, finely tuned balance between proton-extruding and proton-importing processes underlies pH homeostasis not only in the cytosol, but in other cellular compartments as well.
Casey
Joseph R
JR
Departments of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Canada.
Grinstein
Sergio
S
Orlowski
John
J
D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015388:Organelles / Q000378:metabolism*; D011522:Protons; D015398:Signal Transduction; D025262:Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000378:metabolism*
D011522:Protons; D025262:Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases