Na _x: The Sodium Sensor in the Brain

Abstract

Sodium ions are the most popular ions in body fluids, and the sodium and water homeostasis is essential for animal life. Although the presence of sensing system for the Na⁺ level in body fluids was postulated, its detail has long been an enigma. Recently we revealed that Na_x, a family member of voltage-gated sodium channels, is involved in the monitoring of the level of sodium ions in body fluids and sodium/water intake behavior. Here we introduce our studies about the sodium sensor in the brain.