Plasmalemmal vacuolar-type H+-ATPase in cancer biology

Cell Biochem Biophys. 2004;40(2):185-206. doi: 10.1385/CBB:40:2:185.

Abstract

Vacuolar-type H+-adenosine triphosphatase (V-ATPase) is one of the most fundamental enzymes in nature. V-ATPases are responsible for the regulation of proton concentration in the intracellular acidic compartments. It has similar structure with the mitochondrial F0F1-ATP synthase (F-ATPase). dagger The V-ATPases are composed of multiple subunits and have various physiological functions, including membrane and organelle protein sorting, neurotransmitter uptake, cellular degradative processes, and cytosolic pH regulation. The V-ATPases have been involved in multidrug resistance. Recently, plasma membrane V-ATPases have been involved in regulation of extracellular acidity, essential for cellular invasiveness and proliferation in tumor metastasis. The current knowledge regarding the structure and function of V-ATPase and its role in cancer biology is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cell Movement
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases