Voltage-sensitive sodium channels (VSSCs) are membrane proteins that are responsible for nerve impulses. Nine different VSSC alpha-isoforms (Nav1.1 � Nav1.9) have been identified. The objective of this project was to determine the relative levels of VSSC expression in developing rat brain tissue using automated Western blotting. Overall, post natal day 90 (PND 90) rat brain tissue exhibited 2.5-fold more expression of VSSCs compared to post natal day 15 (PND 15). The predominant isoform expressed at both tissues was Nav1.2, however, PND 90 rats expressed 2.8-fold more of this isoform than PND 15 rats. PND 90 rats also appeared to uniquely express Nav1.6. Furthermore, Nav1.2 was detected in the membrane of Xenopus oocytes microtransplanted with both rat brain tissues. Results indicate that VSSCs are differentially expressed in adult and juvenile rat brain tissue and suggest that microtransplantation of this tissue can be utilized to examine the effects of toxicants on native VSSCs.

Validation of voltage-sensitive sodium channel isoform expression in adult and juvenile rat brain tissue microtransplanted into Xenopus oocytes

248th National Meeting (2014)

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