What distinguishes P-type transporters from ABC transporters?
P-type transporters and ABC transporters are both ATPases involved in active transport, but they differ in structure and mechanism. ABC transporters have two transmembrane domains (TMDs) and two cytosolic nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) that hydrolyze ATP to transport substances against their concentration gradient. In contrast, P-type transporters use ATP to phosphorylate themselves during the transport cycle and typically do not have the characteristic ABC transporter structure of two TMDs and two NBDs.