The Quantum-Mechanical Sensitive Na/K Pump Is a Key Mechanism for the Metabolic Control of Neuronal Membrane Function

Abstract

At present, there are relevant scientific materials on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of electrogenic Na/K pump function and structure, as well as on the potential- and ligand-activated ionic channels in the membrane. However, the role of electrogenic Na/K pump in regulation of semipermeable properties of cell membrane has not been elucidated yet, which is due to the fact that our knowledge about the biophysical properties of cell membrane is based on the conductive membrane theory of Hodgkin-Huxley-Katz, which is developed on internally perfused squid axon and lacks intracellular metabolism. Thus, the accumulated abundance of data on the role of G-proteins-dependent intracellular signaling system in regulation of Na/K pump activity and biophysical properties of cell membrane presumes fundamental revision of some statements of membrane theory. The aim of the present review is to briefly demonstrate our and literature data on cell hydration-induced auto-regulation of Na/K pump as well as on its role in metabolic control of semipermeable properties and excitability of neuronal membrane, which are omitted in the study of internally perfused squid axon.