====== Sodium channel ======


[[Sodium]] channels are integral [[membrane protein]]s that form [[ion channel]]s, conducting [[sodium]] [[ion]]s (Na+) through a cell's plasma membrane.

===== Classification =====

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 sodium channels =====
Voltage-gated sodium channels