title: Cloning and expression of a novel human brain Na+ channel.
abstract: We have cloned a novel cDNA from human brain which encodes a non-voltage-dependent Na+ channel (BNC1). BNC1 has some sequence similarity (24-28%) with a new channel family that includes subunits of the mammalian epithelial Na+ channel, the Caenorhabditis elegans degenerins, and the Helix aspersa FMRF-amide-gated Na+ channel. Like other family members it is inhibited by amiloride. However, its predicted structure differs from other family members, its discrimination between Na+ and Li+ is different, and in contrast to other mammalian family members, coexpression with other cloned subunits of the family does not increase current. BNC1 has a unique pattern of expression with transcripts detected only in adult human brain and in spinal cord. Thus, BNC1 is the first cloned member of a new subfamily of mammalian Na+ channels. The function of BNC1 as a non-voltage-gated Na+ channel in human brain suggests it may play a novel role in neurotransmission.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Welsh
mesh_terms: D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D062626:Degenerin Sodium Channels; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012964:Sodium / Q000502:physiology; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000235:genetics*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: C568424:ASIC2 protein, human; D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels; D062626:Degenerin Sodium Channels; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels; D007473:Ion Channels; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015222:Sodium Channels; D012964:Sodium