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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording
Published on: June 9, 2014
The neuronal channel NALCN contributes resting sodium permeability and is required for normal respiratory rhythm
Boxun Lu1, Yanhua Su, Sudipto Das
1Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Abstract:
Sodium plays a key role in determining the basal excitability of the nervous systems through the resting "leak" Na(+) permeabilities, but the molecular identities of the TTX- and Cs(+)-resistant Na(+) leak conductance are totally unknown. Here we show that this conductance is formed by the protein NALCN, a substantially uncharacterized member of the sodium/calcium channel family. Unlike any of the other 20 family members, NALCN forms a voltage-independent, nonselective cation channel. NALCN mutant mice have a severely disrupted respiratory rhythm and die within 24 hours of birth. Brain stem-spinal cord recordings reveal reduced neuronal firing. The TTX- and Cs(+)-resistant background Na(+) leak current is absent in the mutant hippocampal neurons. The resting membrane potentials of the mutant neurons are relatively insensitive to changes in extracellular Na(+) concentration. Thus, NALCN, a nonselective cation channel, forms the background Na(+) leak conductance and controls neuronal excitability.
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