Diversity of proton pumps in osteoclasts: V-ATPase with a3 and d2 isoforms is a major form in osteoclasts

Macrophages from a3-knock-out mice could differentiate into multi-nuclear cells with osteoclast-specific enzymes. In these cells, the d2 isoform was also induced and assembled in V-ATPase with the a1 or a2 isoform. However, they did not absorb calcium phosphate, indicating that V-ATPase with d2/a1 or d2/a2 could not perform the function of that with d2/a3.