CHRNB2
CHRNB2 (cholinergic receptor nicotinic beta 2 subunit) is a beta subunit of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are pentameric, ligand-gated cation channels. It contributes to synaptic transmission in the nervous system and is also known as neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit beta-2. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CHRNB2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CHRNB2 is a component of neuronal acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which function as pentameric, ligand-gated cation channels with high calcium permeability. These excitatory neurotransmitter receptors mediate synaptic transmission in the nervous system and at the neuromuscular junction. Each nAChR subunit confers distinct channel properties, including activation, deactivation and desensitisation kinetics, pH sensitivity, cation permeability and binding to allosteric modulators. In response to ligands such as acetylcholine and nicotine, the channel allows sodium and potassium to flow across the plasma membrane.
CHRNB2 forms heteropentameric receptors with CHRNA2, CHRNA3, CHRNA4 and CHRNA6, and with CHRNA5 and CHRNB3 as accessory subunits. It is found in two major stoichiometric forms, (CHRNA4)3:(CHRNB2)2 and (CHRNA4)2:(CHRNB2)3, which differ in unitary conductance, calcium permeability, ACh sensitivity and potentiation by divalent cation. Channels containing CHRNA6 and CHRNA4 show high sensitivity to ACh and nicotine and are expressed in only a few brain areas, including dopaminergic neurons, norepinephrine neurons and cells of the visual system. nAChRs containing CHRNA6 mediate cholinergic modulation of dopamine and GABA release in response to nicotine at nerve terminals. CHRNB2 also forms functional receptors with CHRNA7, mainly in basal forebrain cholinergic neurons.
The CHRNB2 gene belongs to the ligand-gated ion channel family, in the acetylcholine receptor subfamily, and sits in the HGNC group of cholinergic receptor nicotinic subunits. Mutations in the gene are associated with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. Mouse and rat orthologs are both designated Chrnb2.
CHRNB2 is a core subunit of heteropentameric nAChRs, whose stoichiometry shapes conductance, calcium permeability and ACh sensitivity.
As part of excitatory ligand-gated channels, CHRNB2-containing receptors mediate synaptic transmission in the nervous system.
Receptors with CHRNA6 and CHRNB2 mediate cholinergic modulation of dopamine and GABA release in response to nicotine at nerve terminals.
Mutations in the CHRNB2 gene are associated with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.
CHRNB2 is a subunit of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are pentameric, ligand-gated cation channels with high calcium permeability. It combines with alpha subunits such as CHRNA4 to mediate excitatory synaptic transmission in response to acetylcholine and nicotine.
The HGNC name is cholinergic receptor nicotinic beta 2 subunit, and UniProt lists neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit beta-2. Earlier names include cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, beta polypeptide 2 (neuronal). No alternative gene symbols are recorded.
Mutations in the CHRNB2 gene are associated with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. Mouse and rat both carry a Chrnb2 ortholog; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits that co-assemble with CHRNB2 in neuronal receptors.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P17787; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.