Sodium channels
sodium channels
Sodium channels are integral membrane proteins that form ion channels, conducting sodium ions ( Na +) through a cell's plasma membrane. They are classified according to the trigger that opens the channel for such ions, i.e. either a voltage-change ('Voltage-gated,' 'voltage-sensitive,' or 'voltage-dependent' sodium channel also called 'VGSCs' or 'Nav channel') or a binding of a substance (a ligand ) to the channel (ligand-gated sodium channels).  In excitable cells such as neurons, myocytes, and certain types of glia, sodium channels are responsible for the rising phase of action potentials.