Getting excited about leaks: the atypical Na+ channel NALCN is a key determinant of native mouse anterior pituitary endocrine cell physiology.

The article discusses the role of the atypical sodium channel NALCN in regulating the resting membrane potential and spontaneous excitability of native mouse anterior pituitary endocrine cells. The study reveals that NALCN is a key determinant of the depolarized membrane potential in these cells. By using a shRNA-knockdown strategy, researchers found that NALCN plays a crucial role in controlling electrical activity and intracellular calcium transients in these cells. The study raises questions about the functional expression and regulation of NALCN in different cell types and its potential impact on hormone secretion and other cellular processes in the anterior pituitary. [Extracted from the article]