Title: Structural parts involved in activation and inactivation of the sodium channel.

Authors: W Stühmer, F Conti, H Suzuki, X D Wang, M Noda, N Yahagi, H Kubo, S Numa

Journal, date & volume: Nature, 1989 Jun 22 , 339, 597-603

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2543931

Abstract
Structure-function relationships of the sodium channel expressed in Xenopus oocytes have been investigated by the combined use of site-directed mutagenesis and patch-clamp recording. This study provides evidence that the positive charges in segment S4 are involved in the voltage-sensing mechanism for activation of the channel and that the region between repeats III and IV is important for its inactivation.