General description
ATP-dependent active ion transport enables cells to regulate their pH value and to control their ion composition. The reverse process, transforming an ion imbalance into chemical energy, drives mitochondrial and chloroplast ATP synthesis. The mediators of these fundamental processes are ion-motive ATPases, highly conserved enzymes that play key roles in cell physiology from bacteria to man. This handbook summarizes recent knowledge about the molecular mechanism of ATPases, relating this information to the physiology and pathophysiology of ion transport, mitochondrial function, vesicle transport and lysosomal acidification. All important P-type, F-type and V-type ATPases are treated systematically, complemented by a special section on the cell biology and physiology of acidic compartments.