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Lesson 3 The Sodium Potassium Pump

The sodium potassium pump uses energy from ATP to actively transport sodium and potassium ions against their concentration gradients. It pumps 3 sodium ions out of and 2 potassium ions into the cell. This creates an electrochemical gradient that provides energy for other transport processes and generates the resting potential in nerve cells. The sodium potassium pump is made up of protein subunits called Na+-K+-ATPase and goes through six stages of conformational changes to transport the ions. Inhibiting the sodium potassium pump with digoxin makes it toxic to cells, though low doses have medical uses such as for treating heart conditions.

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266 views10 pages

Lesson 3 The Sodium Potassium Pump

The sodium potassium pump uses energy from ATP to actively transport sodium and potassium ions against their concentration gradients. It pumps 3 sodium ions out of and 2 potassium ions into the cell. This creates an electrochemical gradient that provides energy for other transport processes and generates the resting potential in nerve cells. The sodium potassium pump is made up of protein subunits called Na+-K+-ATPase and goes through six stages of conformational changes to transport the ions. Inhibiting the sodium potassium pump with digoxin makes it toxic to cells, though low doses have medical uses such as for treating heart conditions.

Uploaded by

anulorance98
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Section 3

Lesson 3– The Sodium


Potassium Pump
Active Transport

Active transport requires energy and allows


movement against a concentration gradient.
The Importance of the Sodium Potassium
Pump
Powering the sodium potassium pump can be responsible 30% of the energy
consumption in a cell.

For every 3 Na + ions pumped out of a cell 2 K+ ions are pumped in. This
creates a potential difference. This makes the cytoplasm negatively
charged in comparison to the extracellular environment.

The electrochemical gradient this creates provides


energy for other active transport processes.
The Importance of the Sodium Potassium
Pump
The potential difference produced is also important for
generating resting potential in nerve cells (so they can
fire signals).
The Importance of the Sodium Potassium
Pump

Digoxin (found in foxgloves) is a sodium potassium pump


inhibitor making it toxic to cells. At low concentrations
it can have medicinal uses.

It is used for the


treatment of heart
diseases such as
atrial fibrillation and
atrial flutter.
Na+ -K+ -ATPase
The complex responsible for
sodium potassium pump is called
Na+-K+-ATPase and is made up of
4 protein subunits.
Sodium Potassium ATPase

Features of the Sodium Potassium Pump


- It is a transmembrane carrier protein
- It has 3 binding sites for Na+
- It has 2 binding sites for K+
- There is a phosphorylation site where a
phosphate group is accepted fro ATP
- The 2 different conformations of the
protein are controlled by the phosphorylation
Six Stages of Sodium Potassium Pump

1. 3 binding sites for Na+ are exposed in the cytosol (inside the
cell) and 3 Na+ ions bind.
2. Once the 3 ions are attached a phosphate group from ATP is
broken off and binds to the Na+K+ATPase. This phosphorylation
causes a conformational change in the enzyme (this is an
example of covalent modification).
3. The change in shape affects the affinity (binding) of the Na+
ions causing them to be released into the outside of the cell.
4. This same change in shape allows for the exposure of 2 K+ ion
binding sites outside the cell.
5. The K+ ions bind to the sites causing the phosphate group inside
the cell to be released from the pump.
6. This in turn causes yet another change to the conformation
causing the 2 K+ ions to be released into the cell.
Your Tasks
1. Create a poster showing the 6 stages of the Sodium
Potassium Pump.
2. Update your glossary.
3. Complete Scholar Tasks.

Due Monday
December
17th

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