Crystal structure of the sodium-potassium pump

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

758 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Na+,K+-ATPase generates electrochemical gradients for sodium and potassium that are vital to animal cells, exchanging three sodium ions for two potassium ions across the plasma membrane during each cycle of ATP hydrolysis. Here we present the X-ray crystal structure at 3.5 A resolution of the pig renal Na+,K+-ATPase with two rubidium ions bound (as potassium congeners) in an occluded state in the transmembrane part of the alpha-subunit. Several of the residues forming the cavity for rubidium/potassium occlusion in the Na+,K+-ATPase are homologous to those binding calcium in the Ca2+-ATPase of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum. The beta- and gamma-subunits specific to the Na+,K+-ATPase are associated with transmembrane helices alphaM7/alphaM10 and alphaM9, respectively. The gamma-subunit corresponds to a fragment of the V-type ATPase c subunit. The carboxy terminus of the alpha-subunit is contained within a pocket between transmembrane helices and seems to be a novel regulatory element controlling sodium affinity, possibly influenced by the membrane potential.
Original languageEnglish
JournalNature
Volume450
Issue7172
Pages (from-to)1043-1049
Number of pages6
ISSN0028-0836
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007

Keywords

  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cations, Monovalent
  • Cell Membrane
  • Crystallization
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Fluorides
  • Kidney
  • Magnesium Compounds
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Models, Molecular
  • Potassium
  • Protein Subunits
  • Sodium
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase
  • Swine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Crystal structure of the sodium-potassium pump'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this