The development of an effective target for therapeutic intervention
remains a critical part of the drug discovery process. One such target
class is the P-type ion translocating ATPases, which include the
Na+,K+-ATPase of cardiac cells and the H+,K+-ATPase of gastric parietal
cells. These enzymes serve as selective targets for digoxin and
omeprazole, which are used to treat heart disease and gastrointestinal
ulcers, and are two of the leading prescribed therapeutics worldwide.
It is the exquisite selectivity that can be achieved between family
members that continues to make the P-type enzymes desirable targets for
developing new therapeutics including a new generation of antiulcer
therapeutic and a new class of antifungal therapeutic