Transcriptional expression of voltage-gated Na+ and voltage-independent K+ channels in the developing rat superficial dorsal horn

► Nav and “leak” K+ channel mRNAs are developmentally regulated in the dorsal horn. ► Transcription of Nav1.2 and 1.3 is downregulated during the first postnatal week. ► mRNA expression of TASK channels is highest in the neonatal dorsal horn. ► TASK-1 and TASK-3 are expressed in both neurons and glia of the spinal dorsal horn. ► Age influences the expression of TREK channel genes in a subtype-selective manner.