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A microscopic model for the current-voltage behaviour of the Na,K-pump

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Abstract

The current voltage characteristic of the Na, K pump is described on the basis of a modified Post-Albers cycle. The voltage dependence of the rate constants is derived from the elementary chargetranslocations associated with the single reaction steps. Charge displacements result from movements of the sodium- or potassium-loaded binding sites, as well as from motions of polar groups in the pump molecule. If part of the transmembrane voltage drops between the alkali-ion binding sites and the aqueous solution, the binding constants become voltage-dependent. Depending on the values of the microscopic parameters, the current-voltage characteristic may assume a variety of different shapes. Saturating behaviour results when one or more voltage-independent reaction steps become rate limiting. Non-monotonic current-voltage curves exhibiting regions of negative pump conductance are predicted when, at least in one of the transitions, charge is moved against the direction of overall charge-translocation. The theoretical predictions are compared with recent experimental studies of voltage-dependent pump currents.

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  1. Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, D-7750, Konstanz, Federal Republic of Germany

    P. Läuger & H.-J. Apell

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  1. P. Läuger
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  2. H.-J. Apell
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Läuger, P., Apell, HJ. A microscopic model for the current-voltage behaviour of the Na,K-pump. Eur Biophys J 13, 309–321 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00254213

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00254213

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