The voltage-sensitive sodium channel alpha subunit, Scn8a, which is expressed in brain and spinal cord, was discovered in our laboratory as the gene responsible for motor endplate disease (med) in mice. Mice lacking Scn8a show ataxia and progressive hind limb paralysis, leading to death by 3-4 weeks. Although neurons contain several voltage-gated sodium channels, the loss of this single sodium channel alpha subunit results in a lethal phenotype, suggesting that Scn8a has unique properties which are essential for survival. These unique properties could be the result of a distinctive subcellular distribution and/or functional characteristics. The major goal of this proposal is to identify the unique functional domain(s) of Scn8a by construction of chimeric sodium channels and assay of their ability to correct the lethal phenotype of med mice in vivo.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32NS010692-01
Application #
2710299
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-NLS-1 (01))
Program Officer
Talley, Edmund M
Project Start
1999-03-01
Project End
Budget Start
1999-03-01
Budget End
2000-02-29
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Genetics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
791277940
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109