The reproductive importance of P-type ATPases

P-type ATPases are integral membrane proteins that use the free energy of ATP hydrolysis to generate transmembrane electrochemical ion gradients to support a variety of cellular processes. They have eight signature motifs, eight or ten transmembrane domains, highly conserved phosphorylation and ATP-binding sites, and similar hydropathic profiles. This review summarizes recent insights in the relationship of P-type ATPases to successful reproduction, and the hormone dependence of some family members. Because protein topology 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.