Structural Biochemistry/Membrane Proteins/P-Type ATPases/P-type

Membrane pumps function. each pump protein can exist in two principal conformational states:

1. ion-binding sites open to one side of the membrane
2. ion-binding sites open to other side.

Free energy is needed to pump ions in a single direction across the membrane, and that free energy is provided by the interconversion between the tow conformational states. To figue out the structure and mechanistic features of P-type we examed the calcium ATPase that is found in sarcoplasmic reticulum, or it's called (SERCA) of muscle cells.