Figure 3.

Na,K-ATPase functionally interacts with the plasma membrane NCX to prevent Ca²⁺ overload and neuronal apoptosis during excitotoxic stress. (A) NMDA activates presynaptic and postsynaptic NMDA receptors resulted in intense Ca²⁺ entry and intracellular accumulation. (B) Ouabain binding to Na,K-ATPase modulates the NCX that accelerates Ca²⁺ extrusion and prevents neurons from Ca²⁺ overload. AMPA/KAR, AMPA and kainic acid receptors; AWCE, alternative to GluRs ways of Ca²⁺entry; NKA, Na,K-ATPase. Modified from Sibarov et al. (2012).