Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase

The Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase is a membrane protein that is composed of two subunits - α and β. The pump maintains an essential electrochemical gradient within cells through the active transport of sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺) ions, and is the driving force for membrane excitability.

The Na⁺ gradient set by the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase is functionally coupled to the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) and therefore the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase can also indirectly influence intracellular calcium concentration. For example, inhibition of the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase in vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes leads to the reversal of the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger and results in an increased force of contraction in the heart muscle and in arteries. This effect is induced therapeutically in the treatment of heart failure.

The Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase is also involved in additional cellular processes including excitability of nerves, and the transport of glucose and amino acids across the cell membrane. More recently, evidence has emerged of a second role for the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase as a signaling mediator: the extracellular loops of the catalytic α subunit act as a receptor for cardiac glycosides. Upon ligand binding to the extracellular loops, the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase interacts with neighboring proteins and influences cellular functions including protein synthesis.

External sources of pharmacological information for Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase :

• BJP Guide

Literature for Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase

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Cardiovascular Research Product Guide

A collection of over 250 products for cardiovascular research, the guide includes research tools for the study of:

• Hypertension
• Thrombosis and Hemostasis
• Atherosclerosis
• Myocardial Infarction
• Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
• Arrhythmias
• Heart Failure

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Cardiovascular Poster

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the Western world and therefore this therapeutic area continues to be of great interest to researchers. This poster highlights the key GPCRs regulating vascular reactivity.

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Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase Gene Data