The F- or V-Type Na+-ATPase of the Thermophilic Bacterium Clostridium fervidus

Clostridium fervidus is a thermophilic, anaerobic bacterium which uses solely Na+ as a coupling ion for energy transduction. Important features of the primary Na+ pump (ATPase) that generates the sodium motive force are presented. The advantage of using a sodium rather than a proton motive force at high temperatures becomes apparent from the effect of temperature on H+ and Na+ permeation in liposomes.