CHRNA2 : cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 2 subunit
Description
The CHRNA2 (cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 2 subunit) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 8.
The CHRNA2 gene provides instructions for creating the alpha-2 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). nAChRs are composed of five subunits, typically two alpha and three beta subunits. The specific characteristics of each nAChR depend on its subunit composition. The role of alpha-2 subunit-containing nAChRs is not fully understood. These receptors are widely distributed in the brain and play a crucial role in chemical signaling between neurons. They act as channels allowing ions like calcium, sodium, and potassium to pass through the cell membrane. These channels open when bound to acetylcholine or nicotine. nAChR channels are thought to regulate neurotransmitter release and uptake, influencing various brain functions like sleep, arousal, attention, pain, and memory. These channels are active even before birth, suggesting their involvement in early brain development. nAChR channels are targeted by drugs used for smoking cessation, and medications targeting these channels are being studied for treating conditions like schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and pain.
When acetylcholine binds to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), it triggers a conformational change across all subunits of the receptor. This change opens an ion-conducting channel in the plasma membrane, allowing charged ions to flow through.
CHRNA2 is also known as -.
