Computer simulations of the effect of non-inactivating sodium channels on the electric behavior of excitable cells

Journal of Theoretical Biology
I Z Steinberg

Abstract

Non-inactivating sodium channels have been discovered in various cell types. Additionally, normal voltage-gated sodium channels can be induced to lose their ability to inactivate by treatment with proteolytic enzymes, with certain chemical reagents, or with toxins. The presence of non-inactivating sodium channels in the outer membrane of a cell is expected to profoundly modify the electrical properties of the cell, because the electrical depolarization of the cell and the opening of these channels reciprocally reinforce each other without intrinsic control. The normal resting state may thus be destabilized and a new resting state at depolarized resting potentials may become possible. In this study, computer simulations were carried out to systematically explore the patterns of behavior of excitable cells which have non-inactivating sodium channels in their plasma membrane. The cells were assumed to be space clamped and the relevant Hodgkin and Huxley equations were assumed to describe the electrical behavior of the cells, except that some or all of the sodium channels could not inactivate. The sodium currents were thus represented by the sum of two terms: FI.gNa.m3.h.(V-ENa) + (1-FI).gNa.m3(V-ENa), where FI(0 less than or equal...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1978·The Journal of General Physiology·G S OxfordT Narahashi
May 23, 1985·Neuroscience Letters·C R French, P W Gage
Sep 1, 1985·Biophysical Journal·J F Fohlmeister, W J Adelman
Aug 1, 1985·The Journal of General Physiology·G K WangD C Eaton
Oct 1, 1973·The Journal of General Physiology·C M ArmstrongE Rojas
Feb 10, 1971·Nature: New Biology·E Rojas, C Armstrong
Feb 17, 1971·Nature: New Biology·T NarahashiE X Albuquerque
Mar 1, 1982·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·L Y HuangG Ehrenstein
May 1, 1982·The Journal of General Physiology·D R Matteson, C M Armstrong
May 1, 1982·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·C BaudK Marcher
Nov 1, 1982·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·F N Quandt, T Narahashi
Nov 1, 1980·Biophysical Journal·J J Shoukimas, R J French
Nov 1, 1960·The Journal of Physiology·A TAKEUCHI, N TAKEUCHI

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.