Na/K-ATPase and Its Role in Signal Transduction

The Na/K-ATPase was discovered as an essential ion pump that maintains intracellular ionic balance by transporting potassium and sodium ions into and out of eukaryotic cells at the expense of ATP. The efforts of numerous investigators during the last two decades have revealed several important non-pumping functions of Na/K-ATPase. This chapter focuses on the molecular mechanism of Na/K-ATPase-mediated signal transduction and its potential regulatory role in animal physiology and diseases.