Sodium channel protein type 7 subunit alpha is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SCN7A gene on the chromosome specifically located at 2q21-23 chromosome site. This is one of 10 Sodium channel types, and is expressed in the heart, the uterus and in glial cells. Its sequence identity is 48, and it is the only sodium channel known to be completely un-blockable by TTX (tetrodotoxin).
Scn7a is the name of the gene that encodes to a membrane protein, in particular a Sodium Channel Nax (also known as NaG, Nav2.1, etc.) It belongs to a family of Sodium Channel known as Voltage-Gated, but is not activated by changes in the membrane's voltage, as happen usually in the members of this family (Nav1.1 to Nav1.9); it activates by changes in the extracellular concentration of sodium [~150 mM].
This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.
So you won't tell me, where you've been up to now
I don't know, they've seen you come and go (oh)
You're well on your way but never leaving the chair
Playing scenes on T.V. screens
Watching widely to glimpse the full view
While the hours have their hands all over you
You say that you see me, well I see you too
I look behind, what do you find, all but an empty room
Scratching the surface and you can't get away
You've travelled far and so far you have nothing to say
[Chorus]
Scratching the surface
You better come up for air
A new experience to get you there
Scratching the surface
You better come up for air
Strapped to the media, a machine to fear
You're onto something then it slips right away
It's in your hand, follow through right in front of you
You say that you hear me, well I hear you too
My secret is no secret, outside of the tube
So you won't tell me, what you've done up to now
You're watching me, I'm watching you decide (oh)
Scratching the surface, you can't get away
You tried so hard, and so far you have nothing to say