Biology:CHRNA4

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Short description: Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens


A representation of the 3D structure of the protein myoglobin showing turquoise α-helices.
Generic protein structure example

Neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-4, also known as nAChRα4, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CHRNA4 gene.[1][2] The protein encoded by this gene is a subunit of certain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Alpha4-containing nAChRs (specifically the alpha4beta2 subtype) appear to play a crucial role in the addictive response to nicotine.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are members of a superfamily of ligand-gated ion channels that mediate fast signal transmission at synapses. After binding acetylcholine, these pentameric receptors respond by undergoing an extensive change in conformation that affects all subunits and leads to opening of an ion-conducting channel across the plasma membrane. The protein encoded by this gene is an integral membrane receptor subunit that can interact with either nAChR beta-2 or nAChR beta-4 to form a functional receptor.

Mutations in this gene appear to account for a small proportion of the cases of nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.[2] It has also been associated with a rare form of movement disorder characterised by dyskinesia during periods of exercise or activity called paroxysmal kinesogenic dyskinesia.[3]

Interactive pathway map

See also

References

  1. "Chromosomal localization of seven neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit genes in humans". Genomics 13 (4): 962–7. Sep 1992. doi:10.1016/0888-7543(92)90008-G. PMID 1505988. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Entrez Gene: CHRNA4 cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha 4". https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=gene&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=1137. 
  3. "The expanding spectrum of movement disorders in genetic epilepsies". Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 62 (2): 178–191. February 2020. doi:10.1111/dmcn.14407. PMID 31784983. https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10088482/. 

Further reading

External links

This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.