“Sodium channels are integral membrane proteins that form ion channels, conducting sodium ions (Na+) through a cell’s plasma membrane. They are classified according to the trigger that opens the channel for such ions, i.e. either a voltage-change (“”Voltage-gated””, “”voltage-sensitive””, or “”voltage-dependent”” sodium channel also called “”VGSCs”” or “”Nav channel””) or a binding of a substance (a ligand) to the channel (ligand-gated sodium channels). In excitable cells such as neurons, myocytes, and certain types of glia, sodium channels are responsible for the rising phase of action potentials. Voltage-gated Na+ channels can exist in any of three distinct states: deactivated (closed), activated (open), or inactivated (closed). Ligand-gated sodium channels are activated by binding of a ligand instead of a change in membrane potential.”
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