Background: SERCA and ATP7A/B are P-type ATPases entailing phosphoenzyme intermediate (E-P) formation. Results: Biochemical characterization, however, reveals distinctive features.
Conclusion: A Hϩ -gated Ca 2ϩ pathway coupled to E1-P to E2-P transition is SERCA-specific. Headpiece interactions with an N-metal binding extension (NMBD) and related conformational constraints are ATP7A/B-specific. Significance: SERCA and ATP7A/B mechanisms present significant differences even though they are both P-type.