Background of the antigen
The ubiquitously expressed sodium/potassium-ATPase (Na+/K+-ATPase) exists as a oligomeric plasma membrane complex that couples the hydrolysis of one molecule of ATP to the importation of three Na+ ions and two K+ ions against their respective electrochemical gradients. As a member of the P-type family of ion motives, Na+/K+-ATPase plays a critical role in maintaining cellular volume, resting membrane potential and Na+-coupled solute transport.The Alpha subunit contains the binding sites for ATP and the cations; the glycosylated Beta subunit ensures correct folding and membrane insertion of the Alpha subunits. The small subunit co-localizes with the Alpha subunit in nephron segments, where it increases the affinity of Na+/K+-ATPase for ATP. The Betasubunit, but not the subunit, is essential for normal activity of Na+/K+-ATPase.