Fig. 2
From: Acid-sensing ion channels: potential therapeutic targets for neurologic diseases
ASICs are activated by extracellular protons (H+) and are primarily permeable to Na+ (Ca2+ to a lesser degree). ASIC activation depolarizes cell membranes, activating voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) to induce influx of Ca2+. Ca2+ influx contributes to calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) phosphorylation and may influence other second-messenger pathways. Amiloride, NSAIDs, and nafamostat are ASIC inhibitors