Members of this family are integral membrane proteins. The decarboxylation reactions they catalyse are coupled to the vectorial transport of Na+ across the cytoplasmic membrane, thereby creating a sodium ion motive force that is used for ATP synthesis [2].

1: The sodium ion translocating oxaloacetate decarboxylase of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Sequence of the integral membrane-bound subunits beta and gamma. Laussermair E, Schwarz E, Oesterhelt D, Reinke H, Beyreuther K, Dimroth P; J Biol Chem 1989;264:14710-14715. PMID:2549031

2: Methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase from Propionigenium modestum--cloning and sequencing of the structural genes and purification of the enzyme complex. Bott M, Pfister K, Burda P, Kalbermatter O, Woehlke G, Dimroth P; Eur J Biochem 1997;250:590-599. PMID:9428714