The reproductive importance of P-type ATPases

P-type ATPases are integral membrane proteins that use the free energy of A TP hydrolysis to generate transmembrane electrochemical ion gradients to su pport a variety of cellular processes. They have eight signature motifs, ei ght or ten transmembrane domains, highly conserved phosphorylation and ATP- binding sites, and similar hydropathic profiles. This review summarizes rec ent insights in the relationship of P-type ATPases to successful reproducti on. and the hormone dependence of some family members. Because protein topo logy is central to understanding the pump action of this family of enzymes, this review also describes the dramatic change in the primary structure of one family member that may mediate transcription in the uterus. (C) 2001 E lsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.