Sodium channel protein type 3 subunit alpha

Protein at a glance

Function

Pore-forming subunit of Nav1.3, a voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channel that directly mediates the depolarizing phase of action potentials in excitable membranes. Navs, also called VGSCs (voltage-gated sodium channels) or VDSCs (voltage-dependent sodium channels), operate by switching between closed and open conformations depending on the voltage difference across the membrane. In the open conformation they allow Na(+) ions to selectively pass through the pore, along their electrochemical gradient. The influx of Na+ ions provokes membrane depolarization, initiating the propagation of electrical signals throughout cells and tissues (PubMed:24157691, PubMed:28235671, PubMed:29466837, PubMed:35277491). In some secretory cell types, it also participates in cell excitability through membrane depolarization and regulates cells responsiveness to stimuli triggering secretion. For instance, it controls the release of serotonin/5-hydroxytryptamine by enterochromaffin cells and is required for both glucagon- and glucose-induced insulin secretion in pancreatic endocrine cells (By similarity)

Sodium channel alpha subunit blocker

Appears in clinical studies involving amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, Huntington disease

Acts on a complex — shared with SCN5A, SCN4A, SCN7A +6 more · 1 of 10 recorded protein targets — broad pharmacology

COMPLETED · via Riluzole · NCT01703117

Open Targets aggregate 0.72 · 3 independent evidence families