Identification of important charged residues for alkali cation exchange or pH regulation of NhaH, a Na+/H+ antiporter of Halobacillus dabanensis

► Relationships between eight important charged residues and the function or pH regulation of NhaH were studied. ► D137, D166 and R325 are indispensable for the Na+(Li+)/H+ antiport activity. ► E161 and D224 partly contribute to the alkali cation binding/translocation. ► E229 may be mainly responsible for Li+ binding/translocation. ► H87, H88 and D166 are involved in H+ binding or pH regulation.