The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the family of
Na+/K+ and H+/K+ ATPases beta chain proteins, and to the subfamily
of Na+/K+ -ATPases. Na+/K+ -ATPase is an integral membrane protein
responsible for establishing and maintaining the electrochemical
gradients of Na and K ions across the plasma membrane. These
gradients are essential for osmoregulation, for sodium-coupled
transport of a variety of organic and inorganic molecules, and for
electrical excitability of nerve and muscle. This enzyme is
composed of two subunits, a large catalytic subunit (alpha) and a
smaller glycoprotein subunit (beta). The beta subunit regulates,
through assembly of alpha/beta heterodimers, the number of sodium
pumps transported to the plasma membrane. The glycoprotein subunit
of Na+/K+ -ATPase is encoded by multiple genes. This gene encodes a
beta 2 subunit.
