File:Sodium channel alpha subunit.jpg

Summary

Li ZM, Chen LX, Li H. Voltage-gated Sodium Channels and Blockers: An Overview and Where Will They Go? Curr Med Sci. 2019 Dec;39(6):863-873. doi: 10.1007/s11596-019-2117-0. Epub 2019 Dec 16. Erratum in: Curr Med Sci. 2020 Dec;40(6):1206. PMID: 31845216.

Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channel α-subunit topology The α-subunit contains four homologous domains (I–IV) connected by intracellular linkers, each developed by α-helical transmembrane segments (S1–S6). Voltage- sensing domain (VSD) is constituted within S1–S4, which control the gating. The fourth hydrophobic segment, S4, in each domain contains positively charged amino acids (arginine or lysine) and functions as voltage sensors. Segments S5, S6, and the connecting pore-loops form the channel pore. The intracellular loop between domain III and domain IV contains the IFM (isoleucine, phenylalanine, and methionine) domain required for channel inactivation.

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