Pyrophosphate-Fueled Na+ and H+ Transport in Prokaryotes



: Baykov AA, Malinen AM, Luoto HH, Lahti R

Publisher: AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY

: 2013

: Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews

: MICROBIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REVIEWS

: MICROBIOL MOL BIOL R

: 2

: 77

: 2

: 267

: 276

: 10

: 1092-2172

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/MMBR.00003-13


In its early history, life appeared to depend on pyrophosphate rather than ATP as the source of energy. Ancient membrane pyrophosphatases that couple pyrophosphate hydrolysis to active H+ transport across biological membranes (H+-pyrophosphatases) have long been known in prokaryotes, plants, and protists. Recent studies have identified two evolutionarily related and widespread prokaryotic relics that can pump Na+ (Na+-pyrophosphatase) or both Na+ and H+ (Na+,H+-pyrophosphatase). Both these transporters require Na+ for pyrophosphate hydrolysis and are further activated by K+. The determination of the three-dimensional structures of H+- and Na+-pyrophosphatases has been another recent breakthrough in the studies of these cation pumps. Structural and functional studies have highlighted the major determinants of the cation specificities of membrane pyrophosphatases and their potential use in constructing transgenic stress-resistant organisms.



Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 10:27