Functional characterisation of two essential protein components of the NALCN leak channel complex.

Function of the human sodium leak channel NALCN requires the presence of multiple auxiliary proteins. Two of these, UNC79 and UNC80, are essential to survival in mammals, but their structure and function remained unknown until very recently. Here, we aim to build on the latest molecular insights to investigate their function and conformational dynamics using a combination of electrophysiology and fluorometry. Establishing the conformational dynamics of this protein complex will be of particular interest to the research community attempting to target similar ion channels with drugs. We therefore anticipate outcomes to include therapeutic impact in the form of better treatment of NALCN-related diseases.