Researchers Discover New Function Of Cardiac Sodium Pump

... Scientists at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine Berlin-Buch have discovered a new function of the cardiac sodium pump. During embryonic heart morphogenesis, the pump generates a change in the ion concentration within and outside the cells (ion gradient). The scientists were able to demonstrate that the ion gradient determines the top (apical) and bottom (basal) of heart cell surfaces. Scientists call this cell polarity, a phenomenon vital for heart function. ...