CHRNA5
CHRNA5 (cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 5 subunit) is an accessory subunit of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are pentameric, ligand-gated cation channels. It modulates receptor properties rather than forming a functional channel by itself, and it has been linked to nicotine addiction. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CHRNA5 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CHRNA5 is a component of neuronal acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). These receptors work as pentameric, ligand-gated cation channels with high calcium permeability, and they act as excitatory neurotransmitter receptors. nAChRs mediate synaptic transmission in the nervous system and at the neuromuscular junction. Each subunit contributes its own attributes to channel behaviour, including activation, deactivation and desensitisation kinetics, pH sensitivity, cation permeability and binding to allosteric modulators.
The CHRNA5 protein has an accessory rather than a primary functional role. It forms functional nAChRs only when co-assembled with a beta subunit. It takes part in pentameric assemblies with CHRNA3, CHRNA4, CHRNB2 and CHRNB4. When associated with CHRNA4 and CHRNB2, it increases receptor sensitivity to acetylcholine and nicotine. The protein localises to the synaptic cell membrane and the wider cell membrane. It belongs to the ligand-gated ion channel family, in the acetylcholine receptor subfamily and the alpha-5 sub-subfamily.
The CHRNA5 gene sits in the HGNC group of nicotinic cholinergic receptor subunits. Earlier names include cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha polypeptide 5, and cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha 5 (neuronal). These receptors are thought to be heteropentamers of separate but similar subunits. Defects in the gene have been linked to susceptibility to lung cancer type 2 (LNCR2), and the protein plays a role in nicotine addiction. This makes CHRNA5 a frequent subject in studies of nicotinic signalling and dependence.
CHRNA5 plays a role in nicotine addiction and raises receptor sensitivity to acetylcholine and nicotine when assembled with CHRNA4 and CHRNB2.
As an accessory subunit that joins pentamers with CHRNA3, CHRNA4, CHRNB2 and CHRNB4, CHRNA5 is used to study receptor composition and channel properties.
nAChRs mediate fast signal transmission at synapses, and subunit makeup shapes activation, desensitisation and calcium permeability.
Defects in the CHRNA5 gene have been linked to susceptibility to lung cancer type 2 (LNCR2).
CHRNA5 is an accessory subunit of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are ligand-gated cation channels with high calcium permeability. It cannot form a functional receptor alone, but it increases sensitivity to acetylcholine and nicotine when associated with CHRNA4 and CHRNB2.
UniProt lists the protein as neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-5. HGNC records no aliases, but earlier gene names include cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha polypeptide 5, and cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha 5 (neuronal).
Mouse and rat both have a Chrna5 ortholog, so the gene is studied in rodent models; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity. In humans, defects in CHRNA5 have been linked to susceptibility to lung cancer type 2, and the protein plays a role in nicotine addiction.
Other nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits and assembly partners of CHRNA5 with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P30532; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.