Regulatory design in a simple system integrating membrane potential generation and metabolic ATP consumption. Robustness and the role of energy dissipating processes

► We model a scheme integrating membrane potential generation and ATP consumption. ► We examine if these two cellular processes can be independently regulated. ► Fluctuations in sodium gradient, nutrient and metabolic demand are considered. ► Resulting membrane potential perturbations may be corrected adjusting sodium leak. ► The system is robust to parameter fluctuations.