Calcium-transporting ATPase (Ca-ATPase) (Ca-ATPase)

Calcium-transporting ATPases (Ca-ATPases) are a family of P-type ATPases that maintain low cytosolic calcium levels by actively transporting Ca2+ ions across membranes using energy from ATP hydrolysis [UniProt, PubMed]. This family includes the Sarcoplasmic/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase (SERCA), the Plasma Membrane Calcium ATPase (PMCA), and the Secretory Pathway Calcium ATPase (SPCA) [UniProt, StatPearls]. SERCA is a critical regulator of cardiac contractility, pumping calcium back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum to initiate muscle relaxation; its downregulation is a hallmark of heart failure [PubMed, NIH]. PMCA extrudes calcium into the extracellular space, playing a vital role in global calcium signaling and blood pressure regulation [PubMed]. Because of their central role in calcium signaling, Ca-ATPases are significant therapeutic targets; for instance, SERCA2a activation by drugs like istaroxime is pursued to treat heart failure [PubMed], while SERCA inhibition is explored in cancer therapy via prodrugs like mipsagargin [PubMed]. However, modulating these pumps requires precision to avoid disrupting essential calcium-dependent processes or inducing arrhythmias [PubMed].

Other names

Calcium pumpSarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPasePlasma membrane calcium ATPaseSecretory pathway calcium ATPaseSERCAPMCASPCAATP2AATP2BATP2C

Active transport of calcium ions across biological membranes against a concentration gradient, powered by the hydrolysis of ATP [UniProt, PubMed].