NaN, a novel voltage-gated Na channel, is expressed preferentially in peripheral sensory neurons and down-regulated after axotomy.

ABSTRACT: Although physiological and pharmacological evidence suggests the presence of multiple tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na channels in neurons of peripheral nervous system ganglia, only one, SNS/PN3, has been identified in these cells to date. We have identified and sequenced a novel Na channel alpha-subunit (NaN), predicted to be TTX-R and voltage-gated, that is expressed preferentially in sensory neurons within dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and trigeminal ganglia. The predicted amino acid sequence of NaN can be aligned with the predicted structure of known Na channel alpha-subunits; all relevant landmark sequences, including positively charged S4 and pore-lining SS1-SS2 segments, and the inactivation tripeptide IFM, are present at predicted positions. However, NaN exhibits only 42-53% similarit

SUBMITTER: Dib-Hajj SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC21185 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature