Vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase) Proton Pump and Its Significance in Human Health

Vacuolar H + -ATPases (V-ATPase), is an ATP-dependent proton transporter that transports protons across intracellular and cellular plasma membranes. V-ATPase is a multi-protein complex, which functions as an ATP-driven proton pump and is involved in maintaining pH homeostasis. The V-ATPase is a housekeeping proton pump and is highly conserved during evolution. The proton-pumping activity of V-ATPases allows acidification of intracellular compartments and influences a diverse range of cellular and biological processes. Thus, V-ATPase aberrant overexpression, mis-localization, and mutations in the genes for subunits are associated with several human diseases. This chapter focuses on a detailed view of V-type ATPase, and how V-ATPase contributes to human health and disease.