SODIUM-CALCIUM EXCHANGE - RECENT ADVANCES

Na-Ca exchange proteins are involved in Ca homeostasis in a wide varie ty of tissues. Unique Na-Ca exchangers have been identified by molecul ar biological approaches and it appears that these may represent a sup erfamily of ion transporters, similar to that identified for ion chann els. Major advances in our understanding of these transporters have oc curred in the past decade by combining molecular approaches with elect rophysiological analyses. The regulatory and transport properties of N a-Ca exchangers are beginning to become understood in molecular detail . It also appears that the physiological roles of Na-Ca exchange may b e quite complex. This brief review highlights some recent advances in Na-Ca exchange research obtained through the combination of molecular biological and electrophysiological approaches.