Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel (Neuronal) (VGSC)

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are transmembrane proteins responsible for the rapid influx of sodium ions into excitable cells, such as neurons, in response to changes in membrane potential. This process is essential for the initiation and propagation of action potentials. The core functional unit is the alpha subunit, composed of four homologous domains (I–IV), each containing six transmembrane segments (S1–S6). The S4 segment acts as the voltage sensor, and the P-loops between S5 and S6 segments form the ion-selective pore. VGSCs are major drug targets, with local anesthetics and antiepileptics blocking these channels.

Other names

Sodium channelNav1.1Nav1.2Nav1.3Nav1.6SCN1ASCN2ASCN3ASCN8A

Channel blockers that prevent sodium ion influx, stabilizing inactive states of the channel and/or accessing binding sites within the pore during depolarization events.