The P-Type ATPase Superfamily

P-type ATPases, involved in the maintenance of the ionic balance in almost all living organisms, have been analyzed in prokaryotes according to organismal genomic content, phylogenetic grouping, size, topology, conserved motifs and family distribution, leading to comprehensive ATPase family assignment, characterization and information integration. P-type ATPases, such as the Na+,K+-ATPase of animals, pump many different essential and toxic ions into and out of virtually all living cells on earth. Their physiological importance can not be underestimated. The authors examine over 100 fully sequenced prokaryotic genomes for members of the P-type ATPase superfamily, and compare them with each other and eukaryotic ATPases. The results reveal several novel families of these enzyme/transporters as well as their characteristics. All families are analyzed with respect to organismal genomic content, phylogenetic grouping, size, topology and conserved motifs, yielding for the first time, a detailed description of the many P-type ATPase families and their protein constituents. Scientists and students interested in molecular evolution and the importance of ion pumps to cell and organismal physiology will find this extensive compilation of P-type ATPases and their analyses an essential resource.