Action potentials rely on the activity of many different subtypes of ion channels (including potassium, sodium and calcium channels, and also non-specific channels; Bean, 2007), which therefore define the excitability profile of neurons (which is the ability of neurons to generate an action potential in response to a given stimulus).
Although it has been proposed that KNa channels may be coupled to influx through particular subtypes of Nav channels (Hage and Salkoff, 2012), the results here would require that such coupling must be very tight and occur immediately upon Nav activation.
Researchers now know that not only do all cells, including nerve cells, have ion channels through which substances such as sodium and calcium move in and out, but that particular subtypes of sodium channels govern the transmission of pain.
(A) Quantitative analysis of nine subtypes of sodium channels expressed in cochlear sensory epithelia.
Groundbreakingly, all known subtypes of sodium channels were identified in mouse cochlear sensory epithelia before hearing onset, strongly indicating the indispensible role in hearing development and formation.
Computational studies, including MD simulations, Brownian dynamics and molecular docking, have become new tools to study the roles of various subtypes of Nav channels in pathophysiology at an atomistic level (Gordon et al., 2013).
Our results suggest that the lethal toxic effects of cocaine and CM are not likely through the inhibition of the monoamine transporters or subtypes of sodium channels expressed in DRG neurons.
This study indicates that different subtypes of potassium channels are associated with the pathogenesis of depression.
In conclusion, our results suggest that different subtypes of potassium channels are associated with the pathogenesis of depression.
Interestingly, these unknown GPR to G αi-cascades are likely coupled only to specific subtypes of TRP channels.
