The Na:K pump in red cells is electrogenic.
1979
Hoffman J.F. | Kaplan J.H. | Callahan T.J.
Recent research indicates that operation of the Na:K pump results in a net transfer of charge across the membrane, and thus that the pump in red blood cells is electrogenic. The membrane potential of the red cell, measured with a fluorescent dye, hyperpolarizes when the pump is activated by adding external K. When ouabain subsequently is added, it depolarizes. The change in membrane potential is about 6 mV in human red cells. The membrane resistance can be estimated from the pump-dependent change in membrane potential and from the current flow which is assumed to be one-third of the ouabain-sensitive Na efflux. The net current flow across the membrane can be accounted for by the net transport of Na by the pump.
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