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Allosteric inhibition of the sodium pump by external sodium

Nature volumeΒ 255,Β pages 338–340 (1975)Cite this article

Abstract

WHEN the sodium pump works forward performing Na–K exchange, it is activated by intracellular Na and extracellular K (refs 1–3), but is also inhibited by internal K and external Na (Na0) (refs 4–8). So far, the inhibition by internal K seems adequately described in human erythrocytes, as fully competitive at three internal sodium sites7,8, but the situation regarding the Na inhibition at the external K sites seems more complicated. The experiments reported here suggest an allosteric interaction of external Na with those sites.

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  1. J. D. CAVIERES

    Present address: Physiological Laboratory, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ARC Institute of Animal Physiology, Babraham, Cambridge, CB24AT, UK

    J. D. CAVIERESΒ &Β J. C. ELLORY

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  1. J. D. CAVIERES
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  2. J. C. ELLORY
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CAVIERES, J., ELLORY, J. Allosteric inhibition of the sodium pump by external sodium. Nature 255, 338–340 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/255338a0

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