Tetrodotoxin-resistant channel that mediates the voltage-dependent sodium ion permeability of excitable membranes. Assuming opened or closed conformations in response to the voltage difference across the membrane, the protein forms a sodium-selective channel through which sodium ions may pass in accordance with their electrochemical gradient. Plays a role in neuropathic pain mechanisms.
Background References
1. Christidis N et al. Expression of 5-HT3 receptors and TTX resistant sodium channels (Na(V)1.8) on muscle nerve fibers in pain-free humans and patients with chronic myofascial temporomandibular disorders. J Headache Pain 15:63 (2014).
2. Cejudo-Roman A et al. The voltage-gated sodium channel nav1.8 is expressed in human sperm. PLoS One 8:e76084 (2013).
Sequence Similarity
Belongs to the sodium channel (TC 1.A.1.10) family. Nav1.8/SCN10A subfamily.
Tissue Specificity
Expressed in dorsal root ganglion and trigeminal ganglion.
Post-translational Modification
Ubiquitinated by NEDD4L; which promotes its endocytosis.; Phosphorylation at Ser-1452 by PKC in a highly conserved cytoplasmic loop slows inactivation of the sodium channel and reduces peak sodium currents.; Lacks the cysteine which covalently binds the conotoxin GVIIJ. This cysteine (position 815) is speculated in other sodium channel subunits alpha to be implied in covalent binding with the sodium channel subunit beta-2 or beta-4.
Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded mouse brain tissue using anti-NaV1.8 antibody. The section was pre-treated using heat mediated antigen retrieval with Tris-EDTA buffer (pH 9.0) for 20 minutes.The tissues were blocked in 1% BSA for 30 minutes at room temperature, washed with ddH2O and PBS, and then probed with the primary antibody (ER1706-30, 1/50) for 30 minutes at room temperature. The detection was performed using an HRP conjugated compact polymer system. DAB was used as the chromogen. Tissues were counterstained with hematoxylin and mounted with DPX.
Application: Immunohistochemistry (IHC-P)
Species: Rat Tissue: Dorsal root ganglia Sample: Paraffin-embedded section