Figure 2. Na⁺ channels and transporters in cancer cells as discussed in this article.

Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase generates the Na⁺ gradient across the plasma membrane. Na⁺ channels such as VGSC, ENaC and ASIC lead to Na⁺ entry, particularly when the extracellular pH is low. Amino acids and glucose are imported via Na⁺‐dependent transporters SLC1a5 and SGLT2. The intracellular pH is maintained at a neutral or slightly alkaline pH by Na⁺‐dependent pH regulatory mechanisms NHE1 and NCBn1 (adapted from Leslie et al. ²⁰¹⁹).