Vacuolar H.-pyrophosphatase

The H.-translocating inorganic pyrophosphatase (H.-PPase)is a unique, electrogenic proton pump distributed among most land plants, but only some alga, protozoa, bacteria, and archaebacteria. This enzyme is a fine model for research on the coupling mechanism between the yrophosphate hydrolysis and the active proton transport, since the enzyme consists of a single polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 71^80 kDa and its substrate is also simple. Cloning of the H.-PPase genes from several organisms has revealed the conserved regions that may be the catalytic site and/or participate in the enzymatic function. The primary sequences are reviewed with reference to biochemical properties of the enzyme, such as the requirement of Mg2. and K.. In plant cells, H.-PPase coexists with H.-ATPase in a single vacuolar membrane. The physiological significance and the regulation of the gene expression of H.-PPase are also reviewed