The Role of the Na+/K+ Pump in Normal and Cancer Cell Proliferation

The well-characterized basic functions of the Na+/K+ pump include: (1) maintenance of the transmembrane Na+ and K+ gradients over the plasma membrane, which is a prerequisite for the generation of the resting membrane potential and the action potential; (2) generation of the transmembrane electrochemical potential gradient for Na+ ions which provides the energy for the uphill movements of H+ and Ca2+ ions as well as sugars and amino acids through the appropriately coupled transfer devices; (3) maintenance of the high [K+] environment which is required for the optimum activity of many intracellular enzymes involved in energy generation and macromolecule synthesis. In the outcome, the Na+/K+ pump plays a key role in the regulation of normal cellular homeostasis, cell differentiation and cell proliferation.