A membrane transport system that uses an energy source to move protons against their electrochemical gradient.
Hydrolysis of ATP drives proton movement and helps establish an acidic compartment. The resulting electrochemical gradient supports cargo processing and coupled transport; a low luminal pH is actively maintained rather than an intrinsic property of all membrane vesicles. [ref]
Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4th edition by Bruce Alberts and others. Chapters 3, 6 and 15, protein function, translation and cell signalling
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A proton pump is a type of protein found in the membranes of cells that plays a crucial role in transporting protons (H⁺ ions) across that membrane. Proton pumps are essential for various cellular processes, including: 1. **Maintaining pH**: By controlling the concentration of hydrogen ions, proton pumps help maintain the acidity or alkalinity of different cellular compartments and the extracellular environment.