Structure function & regulation of Na pump Flashcards
(42 cards)
What is the rest potential of the cell?
-65mV
What is the main role of the Na-K-ATPase?
Helps establish and maintain the high internal potassium and low internal sodium conc.
Name the 3 roles the electrochemical gradient plays?
1) Maintaining osmotic balance 2) Stable resting membrane potential 3) Excitable properties of muscle and nerve cells
What does the sodium gradient provide?
The energy that fuels the sodium-coupled transporters mediating the translocation of ions and substrates across the plasma membranes.
What is the role of the Na-K-ATPase in the kidneys?
Plays a primary role in driving the reabsorption of sodium and water
Why are enzymes so important in the body?
Essential for the maintenance of body fluid and electrolyte homeostasis
What 3 things can cause the gradients of ions in the cell to be abolished?
1) Cell death 2) Witholding glucose 3) Use of specific inhibitors
What is the concentration of sodium and potassium inside the cell?
Sodium: 10mM Potassium: 140nM
What is the concentration of sodium and potassium outside the cell?
Sodium: 140mM Potassium: 4mM
What is necessary to maintain the ion gradients?
Requires metabolic energy
What does the pump-leak hypothesis say?
It says that that actively removing sodium out of the cell is in harmony with the uptake of Potassium by passive leak of these ions in opposing directions.
What two gradients is the extrusion of sodium going against?
A chemical gradient and a potential gradient
Why is the extrusion of sodium against a potential gradient|?
Because a transmembrane potential also exists
What is the major source of energy for active cation transport for most cells (ie. muscles and nerve)?
These perform oxidative metabolism that serves as the major source
Define the term “cation”?
An ion that has a positive charge and characteristically moving toward the negative electrode in electrolysis
Define “oxidative metabolism”?
The combination of organic substances with oxygen in order to produce energy.
How does red blood cells inhibit active cation transport?
Absence of oxidative metabolism. Inhibitors of glycolysis still inhibits active cation transport.
The effect of glycoside (ouabain) on the Na-K-ATPase?
Inhibits even with sodium and potassium present.
The effect of magnesium on the Na-K-ATPase?
Co-factor. Not needed for transport but increases the activity
What is the optimum pH for the cell?
pH 7-7.5
The transport system of Na-K-ATPase?
Pumps 3 sodium out of the cell and brings back 2 potassium (using ATP when pumping out the sodium)
How to work out the Km?
Km=Vmax/2
Describe the 5 different stages of Na-K-ATPase?
1) 3 sodium ions bind. 2) Phosphate added onto the protein. 3) Conformational change. Sodium losses its affinity. 4) Potassium has a high affinity for this new conformational (2 bind) 5) Phosphate removed. Conformational change

Describe the 7 steps for the Na-K-ATPase (based on the albers-prost scheme)
- Binding of 3 sodium ions 2. Binding of ATP, phosphorylation of aspartate, 3. Confirmational change (E1->E2) 4. Dissociation of sodium, binding of potassium. 5. Hydrolysis of aspartyl phosphate 6. Confirmational change (E2->E1) 7. Dissociation of K
