Write short note on Na-K ATPase Pump and Functions
The sodium-potassium ATPase pump, also known as the Na+/K+ pump, is a membrane protein that helps to maintain the proper balance of sodium and potassium ions inside and outside the cell. It uses energy from the hydrolysis of ATP to transport three sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions into the cell, creating an electrochemical gradient.
Structure
α Subunit (100,000 MW)
β Subunit (55000 MW)
Intracellular sites:
1. Sodium binding site
2. ATP binding site
3. Phosphorylation site
Extracellular sites
1. Potassium binding site
Mechanism of the pump:
• Cytoplasmic Na+ binds to the sodium-potassium pump.
• Na+ binding stimulates phosphorylation by ATP.
• Phosphorylation causes the protein to change its shape. Na+ is expelled to the outside.
• K+ binds on the extracellular side and triggers release of the phosphate group
• Loss of the phosphate (dephosphorylation) restores the protein’s original share.
• K+ is released, and the cycle repeats
• Three sodium ions are pumped outside where as two potassium ions are pimped inside
Functions of Na+ – K+ Pump
1. Maintains Na+ & K+ gradients across the membrane essential for genesis of RMP (Resting
Membrane Potential).
2. Maintains Cell volume: If the pump is paralyzed, sodium ions which enter the cell remain inside & water follows, causing swelling and rupture of cells.
3. Important role in secondary active transport.
4. Maintains high intracellular K+ which is important for protein synthesis
Write short note on Intercellular connections
Intercellular connections are specialized structures that allow cells to communicate and interact with each other. These connections are essential for the coordination of multicellular organisms and the proper functioning of tissues and organs.
There are several types of intercellular connections, including tight junctions, desmosomes, gap junctions,
- Gap junction- Gap junctions are specialized intercellular connections found in many animal tissues, such as the heart, nervous system, and smooth muscle. They are composed of proteins called connexins, which form small channels between adjacent cells. These channels, known as connexons, allow for the passage of small molecules, ions, and electrical signals between cells.
Gap junctions are important for the coordinated activity of cells in many physiological processes. In the heart, for example, gap junctions allow for the rapid spread of electrical signals that coordinate the contraction of heart muscle cells, ensuring efficient pumping of blood. In the nervous system, gap junctions allow for the rapid transmission of electrical signals between neurons, helping to mediate complex neural networks.
Gap junctions are also involved in cell signaling and differentiation. gap junction-mediated communication plays a critical role in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation during embryonic development, wound healing, and tissue repair. - Tight junctions- Tight junctions are specialized intercellular junctions found in epithelial tissues that form a barrier between cells, preventing the movement of substances between cells. Tight junctions consist of transmembrane proteins called claudins and occludins that bind adjacent cells together.
The primary function of tight junctions is to regulate the movement of substances through the spaces between cells, which is important for maintaining the integrity of tissues and organs. Tight junctions help to establish separate compartments within the body, allowing cells to maintain a stable internal environment that is separate from the external environment. - Desmosomes- Desmosomes are specialized intercellular junctions that help to connect adjacent cells, particularly in tissues that experience mechanical stress, such as the skin, heart, and uterus. Desmosomes are composed of two main protein families, desmogleins and desmocollins, which are members of the cadherin family of cell adhesion molecules.
Desmosomes form strong connections between cells by linking their cytoskeletons together. They have a “button-like” appearance and are composed of dense protein plaques on the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane. Intermediate filaments, such as keratin, attach to the plaques and extend across the cytoplasm, connecting the desmosomes to the cell’s cytoskeleton.