CaATPases

CaATPases, also known as calcium ATPases or calcium pumps, are a class of enzymes that actively transport calcium ions (Ca2+) across biological membranes. They utilize the energy derived from the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to move Ca2+ against its electrochemical gradient, playing a crucial role in maintaining low cytosolic calcium concentrations. This gradient is essential for numerous cellular processes, including muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release, signal transduction, and cell proliferation.

There are several families of CaATPases, with the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) and the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) being the most prominent. SERCA pumps are primarily located in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of muscle cells and the endoplasmic reticulum of non-muscle cells, where they sequester Ca2+ into these organelles. PMCA pumps are found in the plasma membrane and extrude Ca2+ from the cell into the extracellular environment. Dysregulation of CaATPases has been implicated in various diseases, such as heart failure, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer, highlighting their importance in cellular homeostasis and disease pathogenesis.