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The Sound of Evolution
Tetracaine
Mechanism of action:
Tetracaine is a para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) derivative. Tetracaine is a lipid-soluble molecule that can cross the neuronal cell membrane and enter the cell, where it binds to the inner pore site of voltage-gated sodium channels and stabilizes their inactivated state. As a result, depolarization cannot proceed and action potentials cannot propagate.
Reference(s):
1. Laver DR et al. (2011). Three independent mechanisms contribute to tetracaine inhibition of cardiac calcium release channels. J Mol Cell Cardiol.
2. Lanner JT et al. (2010). Ryanodine receptors: structure, expression, molecular details, and function in calcium release. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol.
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