CHRNB2 : cholinergic receptor nicotinic beta 2 subunit
Description
The CHRNB2 (cholinergic receptor nicotinic beta 2 subunit) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 1.
The CHRNB2 gene provides instructions for making a subunit of a protein called a neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). nAChRs are made up of five subunits, including two alpha and three beta subunits. The CHRNB2 gene produces the beta-2 subunit, which is a crucial component of nAChRs in the brain. nAChRs act as channels, allowing ions like calcium, sodium, and potassium to pass through the cell membrane. They are activated by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, as well as nicotine. nAChRs play a significant role in the communication between neurons, influencing processes like sleep, arousal, anxiety, attention, pain perception, and memory. They are also involved in early brain development.
CHRNB2 is also known as EFNL3, nAChRB2.
