Mechanistic studies of sodium pump

Sodium pump was the first ion pump discovered. A member of the family of active transporters that catalyze adenosine T-triphosphate hydrolysis by forming a phosphorylated enzyme intermediate, sodium pump couples the energy released to unequal countertransport of sodium and potassium ions. The ion gradient generated by the pump is important for a variety of secondary physiological processes ranging from metabolite transport to electrical excitation of nerve and muscle. Selected experiments relating structure to function are reviewed. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.