[Mechanism of coupling of ion transport and ATP hydrolysis in the Na-pump].

A generalized scheme of the reaction pathways during activation of the Na,K-ATPase by sodium and potassium ions and a relevant molecular model of the Na-pump are proposed. The model suggests light and heavy enzyme subunits possessing cavities with ion exchange sites. The cavities are of limited size and can contain only 3 sodium or 2 potassium ions. Free energy of ATP hydrolysis is expended on the formation of a special transient nonequilibrium enzyme conformation. In this conformation ion exchange between the subunit cavities becames possible. Na-pump operates as an enthropy machine: the ion movement across the membrane is provided by thermal oscillations of the subunits.