Synchronization of Na/K pump molecules by a train of squared pulses

Abstract

We experimentally studied the Na/K pump currents evoked by a train of squared pulses whose pulse-duration is about the time course of Na-extrusion at physiological conditions. The magnitude of the measured pump current can be as much as three-fold of that induced by the traditional single pulse measurement. The increase in the pump current is directly dependent on the number of pre-pulses. The larger the number of the pre-pulses is, the higher the current magnitude can be obtained. At a particular number of pre-pulses, the pump current becomes saturated. These results suggest that a large number of pre-pulses may synchronize the pump molecules to work at the same pace. As a result, the pump molecules may extrude Na ions at the same time corresponding to the stimulation pulses, and pump in K ions at the same time during the pulse intervals. Therefore, the measured pump current is three-fold of that measured by a single pulse where the outward and inward pump currents are canceled each other.