The Structure and Function of Voltage-Gated
Sodium Channels

Topics to be covered:

(i) Linear, or secondary structure of the voltage-gated sodium channel

(ii) Tertiary (3-D) structure of voltage-gated sodium channels

(iii) The molecular basis of selectivity, conduction, activation and inactivation

(iv) The diversity of voltage-gated sodium channels

Primary Aims:

Relate the structure of the voltage-gated sodium channel to the functional properties of:
(1.) Conductance
(2.) Selectivity
(3.) Activation
(4.) Inactivation

"Learning objectives"
By the end of this lecture, you should be able to...

  1. Describe how hydrophobicity plots lead to the basic linear structure of the voltage gated sodium channel and how this has been confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis experiments.
  2. Reproduce the basic 3-D structure of a voltage gated sodium channel, and explain how that was derived.
  3. Provide an explanation for each of the following in terms of gross molecular structure: selectivity, activation and inactivation
  4. Give examples of functional similarities and differences amongst the family of voltage gated sodium channels.


There will be no requirement to memorise any sequences or specific names of particular sodium channel subtypes.