Nav1.1

Nav1.1, also known as the sodium channel, voltage-gated, type I, alpha subunit (SCN1A), is a is_associated_with::protein which in humans is encoded by the SCN1A is_associated_with::gene.

Function
The vertebrate is_associated_with::sodium channel is a is_associated_with::voltage-gated ion channel essential for the generation and propagation of is_associated_with::action potentials, chiefly in nerve and muscle. Voltage-sensitive sodium channels are heteromeric complexes consisting of a large central pore-forming glycosylated alpha subunit and 2 smaller auxiliary beta subunits. Functional studies have indicated that the transmembrane alpha subunit of the brain sodium channels is sufficient for expression of functional sodium channels. Brain sodium channel alpha subunits form a gene subfamily with several structurally distinct isoforms clustering on chromosome 2q24, types I, II (Nav1.2), and III (Nav1.3). There are also several distinct sodium channel alpha subunit isoforms in skeletal and cardiac muscle (Nav1.4 and Nav1.5, respectively).

Clinical significance
Mutations in the SCNA1 gene cause inherited is_associated_with::febrile seizures and GEFS+, type 2.

Patent controversy
On 29 November 2008, The is_associated_with::Sydney Morning Herald reported the first evidence of private intellectual property rights over human DNA having adversely affected medical care. The Melbourne company Genetic Technologies (GTG) controls rights to the gene, and requires royalties for tests on the gene, which can help identify is_associated_with::Dravet syndrome. Doctors on the Children's Hospital in Westmead, Australia have told journalists that they would test 50% more infants for the gene, if they could conduct the test on site.

Interactions
Nav1.1 has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::syntrophin, alpha 1.