Obinna Megwa

Introduction Sodium potassium ATPases (Na/K pumps) are ubiquitous components of neuronal membranes. They use ATP to pump Na+ out of neurons and K+ into neurons against their respective concentration gradients, and play a critical role in maintaining the resting membrane potential of neurons (reviewed in Kaplan, 2002). There is a growing realization that in addition to playing this housekeeping role, Na/K pumps also play surprisingly dynamic roles in regulating cellular excitability.