Defining a new family of sodium channel accessory proteins

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Voltage-gated sodium channels are key proteins that function as multi-subunit complexes to regulate neuronal excitability. The project aims to investigate the structure and function of a novel family of accessory subunits by utilizing a class of toxins, derived from the giant Australian stinging tree, that directly binds to these proteins to modulate sodium channel function. The project aims to generate significant new knowledge on the function of sodium channels as multi-protein complexes. Expected outcomes of this project include development of novel channel-modulating molecules that may have applications as neuroscience tools to address fundamental questions about ion channel function and biology.