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Fig. 1 | Molecular Cancer

Fig. 1

From: The curious case of vacuolar ATPase: regulation of signaling pathways

Fig. 1

Physiological role of V-ATPase in luminal acidification. The involvement of V-ATPase is involved in numerous specialized cell processes including bone resorption, renal function, sperm maturation, innate immune responses and neurotransmission is outlined. a Bone resorption: V-ATPase located on the plasma membrane of osteoclasts mediates extracellular acidification for bone demineralization during bone resorption. b Renal function: In the kidney, intercalated cells maintain systemic acidosis and achieve urinary acidification by proton pumping activity of V-ATPases expressed on apical membrane. c Sperm maturation: In the epididymis, V-ATPase expressing clear cells acidify the lumen, a process that is crucial for the proper maturation and motility of spermatozoa. d Innate immune responses: V-ATPases mediated vesicular acidification has an important role in trafficking and exocytosis of neutrophil granules V-ATPase is constitutively expressed on the plasma membrane of monocytes and activated lymphocytes and contributes to pH related inflammatory responses. e Neurotransmission: V-ATPase provides the crucial proton motive force necessary for the formation of synaptic vesicles and subsequent accumulation of neurotransmitters. V-ATPase provides the crucial electrochemical potential necessary for accumulation of neurotransmitters in the secretory synaptic vesicles

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