Vacuolar (H+)-ATPases in Caenorhabditis elegans: what can we learn about giant H+ pumps from tiny worms?
Vacuolar (H(+))-ATPases, also called V-ATPases, are ATP-driven proton pumps that are highly phylogenetically conserved. Early biochemical and cell biological studies have revealed many details of the molecular mechanism of proton pumping and of the structure of the multi-subunit membrane complex, including the stoichiometry of subunit composition. In addition, yeast and mouse genetics have broadened our understanding of the physiological consequences of defective vacuolar acidification and its related disease etiologies. Recently, phenotypic investigation of V-ATPase mutants in Caenorhabditis elegans has revealed unexpected new roles of V-ATPases in both cellular function and early development. In this review, we discuss the functions of the V-ATPases discovered in C. elegans.
Lee
Sun-Kyung
SK
The Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Republic of Korea. sunkyungl@hanyang.ac.kr
Li
Weixun
W
Ryu
Seong-Eon
SE
Rhim
Taiyoun
T
Ahnn
Joohong
J
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D009154:Mutation; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017494:Proton Pumps / Q000378:metabolism*; D025262:Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D017494:Proton Pumps; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D025262:Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases