Distribution and function of voltage-gated sodium channels in the nervous system

Abstract

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are the basic ion channels for neuronal excitability, which are crucial for the resting potential and the generation and propagation of action potentials in neurons. To date, at least nine distinct sodium channel isoforms have been detected in the nervous system. Recent studies have identified that voltage-gated sodium channels not only play an essential role in the normal electrophysiological activities of neurons but also have a close relationship with neurological diseases. In this study, the latest research findings regarding the structure, type, distribution, and function of VGSCs in the nervous system and their relationship to neurological diseases, such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain, brain tumors, neural trauma, and multiple sclerosis, are reviewed in detail.

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“…Electroexcitability of the cardiac and skeletal muscle cells involves Na V 1.5 and Na V 1.4 channels, respectively. In accordance with Na V localization in an organism, most of the diseases associated with Na V channelopathies affect the nervous, cardio-vascular, or musculoskeletal systems [1,2].…”

“…">IntroductionVoltage-gated sodium channels (Na V ) are key elements for the transmission of electrical signals, as they initiate and propagate action potentials in excitable neuronal, cardiac, and skeletal muscle cells. Na V channels also have non-canonical functions in non-excitable cells [1,2]. The electrophysiological properties of Na V channels and their topology have been studied well, but many questions concerning the role of certain Na V subtypes in an organism, details of the structure, and the mechanisms of channel interaction with various modulators are currently under consideration.Eukaryotic Na V channels are transmembrane protein complexes consisting of a highly conserved pore-forming α-subunit (260 kDa) having four homologous domains and 1-4 auxiliary β-subunits (30-40 kDa) intrinsic for vertebrates.…”

“…Electroexcitability of the cardiac and skeletal muscle cells involves Na V 1.5 and Na V 1.4 channels, respectively. In accordance with Na V localization in an organism, most of the diseases associated with Na V channelopathies affect the nervous, cardio-vascular, or musculoskeletal systems [1,2].Known modulators of Na V vary in terms of chemical nature and binding sites (pore-forming or voltage-sensitive domains). To date, a least eight binding sites localized on the α-subunits of the channel have been identified.…”

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“…Epilepsy is considered a channelopathy once there is a disorder in the neuronal excitability caused by the improper functioning of sodium channels [2,59], which is frequently due to genetic mutations, mainly of the Nav1.1 subtype channel [60].…”

“…Sodium channels play an essential role by establishing cell excitability and maintaining the conductance of excitable cells [1]. On the other hand, several nervous system diseases may be correlated to them [1], such as epilepsy, pain, brain tumors, neural trauma, and multiple sclerosis [2]. Epilepsy is a quite common neurological syndrome [3] characterized by the occurrence of recurrent, unprovoked seizures [4] that are in part explained by an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory conductance in the brain [5].…”