Cloning and expression of a zebrafish SCN1B ortholog and identification of a species-specific splice variant.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Voltage-gated Na+ channel beta1 (Scn1b) subunits are multi-functional proteins that play roles in current modulation, channel cell surface expression, cell adhesion, cell migration, and neurite outgrowth. We have shown previously that beta1 modulates electrical excitability in vivo using a mouse model. Scn1b null mice exhibit spontaneous seizures and ataxia, slowed action potential conduction, decreased numbers of nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons, alterations in nodal architecture, and differences in Na+ channel alpha subunit localization. The early death of these mice at postnatal day 19, however, make them a challenging model system to study. As a first step toward development of an alternative model to investigate the physiological roles of beta1 subunits in vivo

SUBMITTER: Fein AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1965480 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature