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Nature 450, 957-959 (13 December 2007) | doi:10.1038/450957a; Published online 12 December 2007

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Structural biology: Ion pumps made crystal clear

David C. Gadsby1

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The function of every cell in our bodies depends on the work of proteins known as ion pumps. Several new crystal structures cast fresh light on how three different pumps deal with their distinct cargoes of ions.

Ion pumps toil tirelessly in cells throughout all kingdoms of life, transporting ions across membranes. To investigate the workings of these microscopic machines, X-ray crystal structures of a calcium ion pump known as SERCA have been determined1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

  1. David C. Gadsby is at the Laboratory of Cardiac/Membrane Physiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065-6399, USA.
    Email: gadsby@rockefeller.edu

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