Animal toxins influence voltage-gated sodium channel function

Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2014:221:203-29. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-41588-3_10.

Abstract

Voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels are essential contributors to neuronal excitability, making them the most commonly targeted ion channel family by toxins found in animal venoms. These molecules can be used to probe the functional aspects of Nav channels on a molecular level and to explore their physiological role in normal and diseased tissues. This chapter summarizes our existing knowledge of the mechanisms by which animal toxins influence Nav channels as well as their potential application in designing therapeutic drugs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Ion Channel Gating / drug effects*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Sodium / metabolism*
  • Sodium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
  • Toxins, Biological / pharmacology*
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels / drug effects*
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels / metabolism

Substances

  • Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Toxins, Biological
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels
  • Sodium